Your Mom was a special and gracious lady. Both your parents were special to my deceased husband Darryl  and myself. May your memories of her give you a peace and strength during your grieving.

Condolences to all of Marys' family and loved ones from Lauretta Warlick and Billy Warlick.

We remember many good times and parties with Mary and Sam and Marybeth and Bob Buchholz.  Mary was the last to go and it seems like an end to a glamorous era.  Their generosity made Asheville a better place for all of us.  We send our sympathy to all of you.

Sam,
Please accept my condolences. Your parents were very special to many of us growing up and especially your mother.
We will keep your family in our thoughts.
Thomas B. McMahon
"Tommy"

Your Mother and Father were always such a delight kind, generous and oh so much fun.  I have missed them both but will always remember them fondly.  My condolences to all of you.  Margie Metz, Asheville

I was assistant manager of the Plaza Theatre in the early 1960's, where I first met Sam Irvin and learned to admire him and his business acumen.

I particularly enjoyed his driving my Corvette around downtown Asheville to publicize an upcoming movie, "That Touch of Mink," with Miss Asheville in a mink coat perched upon the seat back.  He really enjoyed piloting the car that afternoon!

I never had the pleasure of meeting Mary Irvin but I was certain that Sam had married a woman who, like himself, was very special.

I wish all condolences to the Irvins.

Blessings and peace to Mary's loving family.  It seems the changing of the old guard this year.  My parents (both gone now, my mom in May) were good friends of Mary and Sam while they were in Asheville and my mother and I were frequent patrons of Mary's Folly.  It's a hard time, I know, but now your folks are together once again. God bless you all.(Daughter of Bill & Benn Fass)

So sorry for your loss, no matter when it comes it is always difficult to lose your Mom......  My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Susan Bagnara

My condolences to the entire family, & especially to Sam Jr. Clearly, Mary left her mark with all who came in contact with her. The words gracious, stylish, & loving come to mind. Sending comforting thoughts.

"Gracious party hostess, society maven, and style trend-setter" is an understatement when I think about "Mom". I'm remembering countless parties she hosted (or allowed Tim to host) for his friends...many happy memories of their house in Biltmore Forest, where she was always available for advice or sometimes a shoulder to cry on...how she was always perfectly dressed, hair done, makeup in place, no matter the time of day...the classic clothes at "Mary's Folly"...and the way "Dad" doted on her, always making sure she had whatever she needed. Sending much love to Tim and the rest of the family!

Mary Irvin's Brush with Movie Stardom!
by Sam Irvin Jr.

In 1993, my mother and father, Mary and Sam Irvin, came to Los Angeles, California, and visited the set of a movie I was directing entitled “Acting on Impulse,” a murder mystery produced for Showtime, the premium cable television network. I was so thrilled that they would finally get to see their son calling the shots on a bona fide Hollywood movie! I had so much fun that day proudly introducing them to the eclectic cast of the movie: Nancy Allen (whom they had met before when I was working in New York as director Brian De Palma's assistant on Nancy's smash hit film “Dressed to Kill”), C. Thomas Howell (“E.T.”), Linda Fiorentino (“Men in Black”), Oscar winner Isaac Hayes (of the “Theme from Shaft” fame), Zelda Rubenstein (“Poltergeist”), rock star Adam Ant, among many others. 

Then, I put my parents in front of the camera to perform as extras in scenes with Dick Sargent, world-renowned as the second “Darren” on “Bewitched.” In this movie, Dick was playing a top advertising executive at a convention for the employees who worked for his agency. 

In one bit, Dad played one of these ad execs obediently listening to Dick's instructions, then responds with, “Yes, sir.” 

In another sequence, Dick is giving a speech at a podium. Seated at the dais next to him is his glamorous wife played by none other than my very own glamorous mother Mary! 

Mom had been a fan of “Bewitched” and couldn't believe she was actually playing the wife of “Darren.” Of course, you will recall that in “Bewitched,” Darren's wife was Samantha (played by Elizabeth Montgomery), a housewife who also happened to be a witch. All she had to do was twitch her nose and magic would happen. 

Well, as the cameras rolled, I noticed Mom scrunching her nose as if she was about to sneeze. I yelled, “Cut!” I walked over to Mom and whispered, “Do you need a tissue?” 

She looked up at me and said, “No. I'm trying to twitch my nose like Samantha. I thought it would be funny.” 

I couldn't believe it. Here was my mother, an actress for all of five minutes, already trying to upstage Dick Sargent! I politely said, “Less is more. Just gaze up at Dick like you are his proud wife… without any nose twitching.” 

Take Two. Dick gave his speech. Mom gazed. Her nose remained still. Perfect. I happily proclaimed, “Cut! Print that! We've got it!” Mom's brush with Hollywood fame was in the can. 

There was another poignant part of the story. What my parents did not know was that Dick was dying of cancer. In fact, he didn't think he would be well enough to perform in my movie. He was undergoing chemotherapy and some days he was feeling too nauseous to get out of bed. I called Dick and said, “The best therapy for you is to do what you love best. Acting! I can shoot your entire part in one day. If you are feeling up it on that day, you come to work and we'll have some fun. If you are not feeling up to it, I'll have an understudy on standby to take your place.” 

Well, for any true actor, the strongest motivator in the world is the threat of an understudy snatching your part. So, when the day came, Dick was there, bright and early, raring to go. He knew his lines and delivered them with panache. He was sweet and charming to the crew and his fellow actors. But he was especially kind and patient with my parents. He knew how much this meant to me – and to them – and he was generous to a fault. 

At the end of the day, Dick said to me, “Thank you for encouraging me to get back in the saddle. I'm so glad I did. And I'm very happy that I got to meet your wonderful parents. Trust me. Years from now, when they're gone, this is a day you will cherish.” 

Those words of wisdom not only applied to my parents. Sadly, it was the very last character Dick Sargent ever played. Not long after that, he passed away. A dozen years later, my father died in 2005. And now, with the passing of my mother, the significance of that day resonates stronger than ever. And, long after I'm gone, their scenes will live on forever in my movie.

Mary was a true original.  She never left her house without being turned out like she was on her way to be photographed for the cover of Vogue.  She was a lady in every sense of the word while at the same time not being afraid to break a rule now and then. I spent many a Sunday brunch with Mary and Sam and she always brought two black napkins - one for her and one for me.  "Those white ones leave lint all over your clothes."  She was one of the more interesting people I've ever met.

OBITUARIO

Mary Adele Bantly Irvin

14 febrero, 1925 – 23 agosto, 2014

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home

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