These are from my sister Jeannie Hindman
Jeannie's memories...
In August of 2007, we were in the Phoenix area for a wedding. The mother-of-the-bride and the aunt-of-the-bride are with us today (Karen and Marilee). A vehicle pulled out in front of us and Steve slammed on the brakes. CaraLynne was sitting in the back seat of the car, with Mom. CaraLynne threw her arm out in front of Mom who said to CaraLynne, "Don't save me, save yourself, I am ready to go."
But the Lord left her on earth another ten years.
Growing up, she was always busy sewing, cleaning, baking, gardening, painting, reading a faith-based book, or at church being part of a meeting. She had to be working at something.
She had the most unique handwriting.
She had nice hair. She always smiled when she received a compliment on her hair. It made me smile too, as I was the one who set her hair.
She sent me through life with some interesting conversation trivia.
1) I am, we are, direct descendants of Rob Roy McGregor. Rob Roy McGregor was 18th Century Scottish clan’s chief. Liam Neesen played him in a 1995 movie.
2) For the past four years I have worked at TaxAct during tax season. Sometimes full-time and sometimes part-time. As part of the verification process clients are required to answer a security question. One of the most popular questions is "Name of your favorite celebrity?" Frequently, the answer was John Wayne. I could proudly say, "My mother is from Winterset, John Wayne's birthplace and the center of the book and movie Bridges from Madison County." If they said their favorite celebrity was Ronald Reagan - I would tell the customer I had lived in Dixon, Illinois (Ronald Reagan's hometown) and my mother had a cousin who went to Eureka College with Reagan.
She had a repertoire of little known songs and poetry.
1) Example: A Froggy went a Courtin'. Where Froggy takes Miss Mousey on his knee and asked her, "Will you marry me?" Then Uncle Rat goes to town to buy his niece a wedding gown. Like that was ever going to happen.
2) We were in the Fairfax Cemetery in May on Mother's Day, planting a few flowers. She began to recite: Dandelion, dandelion yellow as gold. What do you do all day? I wait and wait in the tall green grass. And what do you do when your hair grows white, and the children come to play? They take me in their dimpled hands, and blow my hair away!
She graduated from high school in the middle of the depression and was middle child. Those two elements colored how she managed life. She was always conservative and the peace maker.
She was petite but she was pillar of strength. The first time I ever saw her cry was in the fall of my freshman year in high school. Our little dog, Tammie had been killed running across Main Street chasing a rabbit. She was asking me if a pink baby blanket was adequate enough wrap around Tammie for burial. I was shocked she was willing to sacrifice the blanket and equally shocked at the tears in her eyes.
I was just past 22 when my dad passed away in April 1975. It was quite the blow. However, she cornered her Scottish-Irish background, Presbyterian-Methodist strength, redesigned her life, and went on.
My favorite memories at home were being in the dining room, setting the table for company, carefully placing china, flatwear, cut glass bowls, and crystal on the table. Sometime we even used her grandmother's Haviland china.
She was dedicated to moving; exercising with her rolling walker. On Saturday, August 12th, Marilee, Karen, and I were working at packing her apartment. The mail carrier came into the Asbury Retirement House apartment and offered his condolences. He said he had never seen anyone running a walker around the drive way loop with such intensity.
Doing for others gave her great pleasure.
And lastly, Mom never had an automatic dishwasher. A sentence, frequently quoted in our family was, "Mom had two dishwasher and they both went off to college."
Mary K Hindman
September 18, 2017
I have such vivid memories of your mother, Mary and Jeanne. She truly was a wonderful lady. I'm blessed to have known her.
Kathy Davis
August 14, 2017
Mary Kay and Jeanne, My heart goes out to you during this time. Your mom was a wonderful lady and I'll never forget growing up on First St with the Hindman's. We had so many good times. You were so blessed to have had your mom for so long. I live in Texas but would love to see you both next time i come home.
Ruth Harkness Richarss
August 14, 2017
Mary was an elegant lady. I feel fortunate that our lives crossed paths for a short time, as well as with other members of her family.
Carrie Ball
August 13, 2017
What a wonderful woman your mother was, Mary Kay and Jean! We shared so many years of friendship growing up, my parents and yours , we kids. Mary was pure delight and I was always amazed at her thoughtfulness. I loved her laugh, her wit, her positive outlook on life. She introduced me to green tea before it was "in" and I enjoy it every morning often thinking of her. She will be missed and heaven is the better for her presence there. May you find peace in your memories. Love Kathie and family
Kathe Wingert Thompson
August 12, 2017
We were very fortunate to have Mary as a neighbor. We loved talking with her. Even on the hottest or coldest of days Mary would go for at least 2 walks a day and I used to tell her I wanted just half her energy. She will be dearly missed.
Daneé Hayungs
August 11, 2017
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing gal.
Janet Liming
August 11, 2017
What a beautiful lady, my family and I was blessed in getting a chance to of known this wonderful person. She would join into our exercise classes, and most of the time afterwards still had energy to walk the halls, and chat with all. Mary Hindman you will be remembered with love and so many memories. Peace for your daughters and there families.
MaryAnne White
August 11, 2017