Mary Calhoun

Mary was a very independent person from New England, born in Lewiston, Maine, to David B. Calhoun and Frances Elizabeth Marsh. She is survived by two brothers, Dwight Calhoun of Massachusetts and Frank Earl Calhoun of Connecticut. Their lives were influenced by their father’s decision to seek Conscientious Objector status during World War II. This resulted in his brief incarceration after which he was dedicated to a modest lifestyle, in keeping with his commitment to being a Quaker, and supporting all peace works. As a result, his family was reared with independence and hard work. Mary suffered a polio infection in first grade, which shaded, but did not overshadow, her intellect. She was graduated from Bates College with a degree in Philosophy, then went to New York City to pursue work in theatre, primarily as a backstage technician. The living there required many ‘day jobs’ and she soon was drawn farther afield and wound up in Abington, Virginia. There she worked with Barter Theatre for a time, and took jobs with various social service agencies, including Easter Seals. Mary enjoyed artistic expression always, through decorative arts such as sewing, crochet, drawing and photography, as well as singing and playing piano. From her mother Mary learned to cut intricate snowflakes from thin paper to decorate windows in winter. She enjoyed creating paths and arrangements of wild plants in her yard, in a practice she called “landscape jazz.” At various times, Mary was a member of: MENSA, a classical music chorale in southwestern Virginia, a regional Quaker meeting, a regional literary magazine, and Smith River Singers. She loved cats, and through her life rescued many on her modest income. Her last pet now resides in Martinsville with her friend, Rachel Beneke, by whom she is greatly missed.