I cannot believe that an entire year has come and gone with no Mary. We miss her at our monthly dinners and I miss her many e-mails. Mary - you are in our thoughts always. The Buffalo Chapter of Executive Women International and Sharon Herrmann

I remember her interview like it was yesterday. She was so sweet and came dressed so professionally. She just wanted to work part time - "something to keep me busy" she told me. Then I discovered just how busy she already was. Miss Mary, as everyone soon began to call her, was one of the most enjoyable people I have ever met. We did so much together, yet what we did wasn't even a drop in the bucket to what she did. I have uploaded some pictures of her in our office and in NYC with us. We traveled to our home office in NYC for our annual "Friendraiser" and Miss Mary was such a joy to have along.

We heard so many wonderful details of her life over the years - we spent 7 together. I had the sad experience of having to inform one of our agency friends that Miss Mary had passed and he was so sad he told me " I so enjoyed our time together. I would always arrive 40 minutes early and stay 30 minute after, just to talk to Mary. She thrived on learning new things." Yes, that was our Miss Mary - never one to shy away from a task -always the first one to volunteer.

I think of her each and every day. In the office if I am at a loss, I just say; "well Miss Mary Now What??" and the answer always comes!!! She was a gentlewoman with the best sense of humor, with a story to tell and tell them she did. Recently she and I had been talking about the elections, she mentioned that there were 4 in New York State this year and I said to her "You are amazing. Your commitment to this country and the democracy. You work every election and do it with a smile!!" Miss Mary looked at me and with a serious face said; "Are you kidding they pay me $175 a day. That's alot of money!!" I laughed so hard - but I knew she did it for the most honorable reasons - she always always always wanted to know how she could help a situation and make it better than when she showed up!!!!

We were blessed to know about her family- Mom and Dad, sisters and brother, neices and nephews, her school buddies, her Quota Club friends, her Variety club partners, her Women in Business peers, her church family, her Manpower years, her Election Day experiences, her years with the Buffalo Braves, her picture hanging in Brennan's Bowery - all first hand from Miss Mary herself. We were all truly Blessed to know Kass!!!!!Rest proudly - Our Miss Mary!!!!!!!

I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Mary’s passing. Mary and I met in 1972 when we lived in the same building on Summer Street in Buffalo. That house had the craziest old pervert for a landlord and absolutely the best cast of characters you could imagine as tenants. Neighbors at first, Mary and I quickly became friends. We often shared meals together after work, errands on weekend mornings, and long talks after each returned from nights out. We talked about our hopes, disappointments and dreams; about “girl stuff” and job problems and car problems – hers was a not-so-reliable Dodge Dart (I think) that had a name I no longer recall. We talked about families; her father Jack, the gentle giant who sewed clothes for his daughters and her mother Tess, the petite dynamo who knocked down walls and remodeled rooms while Jack was on business trips; her sisters and brother, and at the time just 2 nephews, but later nieces and nephews. She was proud of all of them. I remember one afternoon we visited her parents and somehow I managed to hit their beloved Irish Setter, Casey, right between the eyes with a golf ball. Mary loved that pooch as much as she loved anything, but she said something to make me feel less guilty about hurting Casey. We shared books and records. Many nights we shared drinks while listening to music – often Jazz at the Hilton - and we went to or had parties either at one anothers or other tenants’ apartments in the building. Mary’s quick, dry wit always left us something to remember and laugh about long afterwards. I also remember a Christmas Eve when we shared perhaps a few too many drinks before going to midnight mass at the “new” cathedral (which is no longer there) on Delaware Avenue and we both fell asleep amidst the haze of incense at the mass. “At least we went”, we told each other. Besides being witty, methodical, dependable, and fiercely loyal, Mary was an enthusiastic fan of any and all sports. While she gave me an appreciation for some of the finer points of sports, I am afraid that is one of Mary’s lessons that didn’t stick with me too long. Others did. She had the knack of being able to help people put things in perspective without being judgmental. She helped me become more organized – both in my house and in my head – and helped to add color and texture to my life in those years. One of the perks of her job as Statistician for the Buffalo Braves was a pair of seasons’ tickets to their games. As Mary sat at the Stat Table on the floor, she always made her tickets available to any of her friends who had a desire to go to the game or who just had an empty evening. In fact, it was while using one of Mary’s tickets in December 1975 that I met my husband, which eventually led to me moving to D.C. and later to California. While we continued to keep in touch over the next 35 years, it wasn’t nearly enough. After too many weeks of no e-mails from Mary, I now find she has passed away. Overwhelming regrets of not reaching out more recently and of sadness for me, and I am certain for so many others. As I sit here thinking of Mary, I cannot help but think of George Elliot’s words in Middlemarch: “But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to …….” I finish that quote with “Mary”. What a difference she made to me! Rest in peace, my friend, rest in peace.

I was saddened to hear of Mary's passing. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all her family. I remember fondly Mary sitting at the telthon desk with her bowl of hard candies that she shared with everyone. You will be missed.

It seems so long ago that we were neighbors and friends. I have revisited so many memories since I read the notice in the paper. You were a part of my childhood and I was glad to reconnect a few years ago. Although, the lunch together we planned never happened, the phone calls were our link. I am sad that you have passed but I am glad you were a part of my past.

Mary Kathleen was my cousin with whom I shared amusing email forwards. She had a lovely sense of humor, one of God's great blessings! I observed how faithfully she kept in touch with my Aunt Molly throughout all her time in the nursing home, by continually dropping her little notes and cards to brighten her days. I believe she was a very kind hearted spirit and am glad to have known her in what little way I did. My husband Michael and I send our sympathy to Uncle Jack and Aunt Tess and all of Kass's siblings and are sorry we did not make it to Buffalo to see you all. You and Kass are in our prayers and in our hearts.

My sincere condolences on the loss of our classmate, Mary. I cherish the memories of the times we spent together as part of the Class of 59!

We went to school together. You joined our class in 7th grade? Your family moved here from Pittsburgh. You were the oldest of 6 I believe and I was the 3rd oldest of 8. So we had a lot in common. Once we had a Halloween Party at your house in your new family room that your Dad built. In 1958, a goup of us from Neumann High School went to New York City for the Summer School of Catholic Action. We had a ball! And yes, we got up and went to daily Mass before taking the subway out to Fordham University.

I did not see you for many years but then some of our classmates began getting together for our 40th reunion and we picked up right where we had been. About 10 of us met regularly for dinner and kept in touch that way. The past 4 years, we ushered together on Sunday evenings at Sheas. You always had a funny story or comment to make. Just two weeks ago I was with you at Beach Tuyn at another wake. You were there with your Mom.

You told us at Sheas that you were going to be burried from Beach-Tuyn - just not yet. You joked that when the time came and you couldn't live alone, you were going to move in with Nora. It's so hard to think that you are gone. I know you were a wonderful daughter to your parents - recently becoming their taxi service when Dad finally gave up his car.

I will miss youmy old friend. Judy Huber

Our prayers go out to the family of Mary. We remember her as we also ushered at Shea's on Sunday nites.

My deepest sympathy to Mary's family. I worked with her for a number of years and she was lovely to work with and know. Patient and quietly humourous and knew everyone! I'll miss her.

Our deepest condolences to Mary's parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. Mary was a charter member of Buffalo Chapter Executive Women International, serving as our Chapter President twice, the latest in 1994. She was very active in our organization, as well as so many others, and was awarded the honor of "Rep of the Year" in the early 1990s. When our Chapter disbanded in 2003, we all decided to continue our longstanding friendships by meeting once a month for dinner. Mary would often join us and, invariably, pull out her little pocket calendar to note the next dinner. Her lifelong involvement in so many areas will be greatly missed by all of us. The Buffalo Chapter of Executive Women International and Sharon Herrmann.

Sweet, wry Mary, my old Interclub, Susan B Anthony Luncheon friend. Trusting you are spreading smiles and laughter in heaven.

When I think of high school years, I think you. I am certain our classmates would all say the same. Mary added laughter and generosity to our crowd. We will miss her. Judy Schiffert

Christine Graham made a donation to

During this difficult time I would like to extend my most heartfelt sympathies. If you need a friend to help you through this, you know who to call.