My Special Aunt Mary               Long before I could call you by name,you were my Deb-Deb and I was your Joanie. You were my aunt,my advocate and my for always friend.Every day in 1st. grade I would watch out the window to see you arrive to walk me home.To see you standing under that pepper tree and smiling meant that school was over and now the FUN with you would begin.     You were always my audience and no matter how many times I sang,"Button Up Your Overcoat" you were there to applaud and encourage me. How many movies  did we go to? It must have been hundreds  and they were always followed by some special treat at a drug store fountain,malt shop or the WITCH STAND!                       When Ron came into my life and we became engaged in 1958,at least half of the May Co.\'s housewares dept. became ours. We still walk around our home and say,"Aunt Mary gave us this and Aunt Mary gave us that" Always the giving of yourself was more important then anything you received.       When Ronnie and Patrice arrived you were right there and their lives became as major a part of your life as I had been. Never were you away from us for very long and if you were we could never wait until we were with you once again. Now there are no more next times but there are happy memories you left for all of us.                              I like to think that you and my mother are riding around eternity on a Chevy Impala or a VW cloud while Uncle George races by in a SUV with Nana in the passanger seat. Of course Elizabeth has left MUCH LATER in her Mercedes cloud but will soon pass all of you !!         So my dear Aunt Mary for you I will keep close to all my cousins,try to make sure ALL OF THEM like stewed tomatoes,noodles and ketchup, fudge and divinity. And all your descendants in all the generations to come will know the FUN of your 2 inventions: The Bumpy Box and the Tickle Box !                               Yes,I\'ll "Button Up My Overcoat when the wind is freeze                          And I\'ll take good care of myself "                         Until----Once Again-------       It is You and Me!            Remembering you,Missing You, Thanking God for Knowing You                   Joan

Her smile and laugh, along with a sense of humor kept sharp by Letterman is what are indelible to me.  But those countless decorative eggs, adorning her home, all sizes and substances.  I always felt that both literally and figuratively, they representated all the lives she helped bring onto this earth. The children, ensuing grandchildren, and GREATgrandchild. As her family grew, so did her collection of precious eggs. Each unique, each its own place, each its own special significance.

My Grandma Mary was the epitome of grandmothers.  Going to visit Grandma Mary in Redondo Beach had always been a highlight of my childhood.  I can still remember the smell of her apartment and the placement of all of her furniture and items in her home.  She always had so many things for us grandchildren to play with and inquire about of which she was more than happy to share with us.  The games and songs she taught us I will remember forever and I even teach to my students today.  Grandma always liked to sing and tell us exciting stories about her childhood that were easy to visualize because of her enthusiasm when speaking of her memories.  It was such a treat when Grandma came to visit and stay with us because we had an excuse to stay up to watch the late night talk shows with her.  I will forever associate the TV Guide with my Grandma Mary.  It was more than obvious the love she had for her grandchildren and I felt it when I was near or far from her.  We could always count on a birthday card from Grandma and just seeing her handwriting on the envelope when I recieved the card in the mail, put a smile on my face.  Grandma Mary\'s wit and humor kept me intrigued at all times. When she moved to Arizona I missed her and was jealous that my cousins were fortunate to be in the presence of  my Grandma Mary.  She will be forever missed in my heart, but it brings a smile to my face when I see traces of her in my mother, my aunts, my cousins, and even myself. I will be sure to share stories of my classic Grandma Mary to all present and future family members to come.

Loving, caring, fun, friend, you were all of these and much more.  You were quite the mother hen with the four of us.  I remember all of us shopping and trying your patience with four girls trying to find just the right dress for the holidays and of course a hat to go with it.  The many picnics when you would usually fix fried chicken and baked beans.  Sometimes it would just be an impromptu ride in the car to go to Balboa, Santa Barbara or Zuma and we would bring cold cuts and potato chips.  And of course, the famous Long Beach circle - which you hated.  Sometimes we would have to go around  twice before you would be able to exit. All the time you would be driving very fast, clutching the steeriing wheel hoping not to miss your exit.    You were always so great with handling and taking care of babies -  you were a natural.  As each of us had our children we were blessed that you were always there for us.  Each of the grandchildren felt a special connection with you and always enjoyed being with you.    I have so much to be thankful for - your songs, your prayers, your unending support, your love.   I miss you.      Madeleine

A storyteller,a very humerous, late nightnight TV, and most of all a loving mother, grandma,great grandma, aunt, and great aunt. I loved how she always was interested in what you were doing in your life.      I remember visiting grandma when she lived in Redondo I can still see the pictures that are on the wall and tables and the eggs that she collected and till this day I remember the street we would turn on with the yellow striped Tikki apartments that sit on the corner of the street. Whenever I drive by still I think of grandma. The times she would visit us in Pasadena I would share a room with her and I remember the perfume scent and watching her put hairspray all over her hair. The ritual trip she would take to get her hair done with aunt ruth. I always looked forward for grandma\'s birthday and christmas cards to see her signiture at the bottom of the card. I miss my grandmother who used to drive us around in the little corrolla and when she would honk when she came to pick me up at a friends house. She would buy us klondike bars when mom and dad were gone and trying to stay up to watch late night TV with her.     Grandma thank you for your love, your stories, and your laughter. I miss you but will always have you in my heart. You touched each and everyone of us in so many different ways and for that I thank you.   I Love you!   Kate

OBITUARY

Mary Ann Flynn

7 March, 1916 – 29 July, 2003

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