Jack and Mary were always so kind to all of kids on the 300 block of Peace Ave! I think in the 1960s there were 16 or 17 kids on the block. Mary organized us all to put on a talent show for the parents. Complete with costumes and popcorn vendors! She patiently rehearsed with all of us and both she and Jack encouraged each and everyone of us! Grandma Johnson joined in the fun. It was so wonderful having extra grandparents right there on the block!!
Deb Hearst Roberts
September 14, 2019
Mary was the most caring, kindest and soft-spoken individual. She cared for my son for many years while I was employed. She was more than a baby/child sitter. She actually did more than a mother could. At the end of the day when I returned to pick up my son, she always told me the happenings of the day--so i never missed out. Even when my son was a teenager he continued to go to her house after school. That certainly is "love." I could never say enough great things about Mary. Even though we miss knowing she is no longer with us, the memories are special.
Nadene Roberts
September 14, 2019
I was so sorry to hear on Thursday that Mary had passed away.
I estimate when I was growing up - from 21 months to 14 years - I was at Mary's house more than four thousand days. So Mary was really my second mother.
I remember the house on 6th Ave. where Mary and Jack lived upstairs - Mary's mom lived with them. Mary washed the dishes in a dish pan because there wasn't a kitchen sink, they didn't have a TV, and Jack walked to work, so they didn't have a car, either - imagine that!
My memories of Mary in those days before I started school were when she created the most amazing experiences for me:
Summer days when Mary would take me to the neighbor's strawberry patch to just play in the dirt,
Rainy days when Mary would put a sheet on the living room floor and make a little sand beach right there for me,
Walks to the south end of the island (behind the jail) where I could play by the water (under Mary's watchful eye),
Walks to Palumbo's Butcher shop - samples of thuringer passed down to me - and the ice cream shop on Third Avenue,
And I would walk from Mary's house to/from old Taylor School; when I was sick Mary would make me lunch of tomato soup and saltines.
I was in third grade when Mary and Jack moved to their brand new house at 310 Peace Road (easy to remember - school got out at 3:10), so I switched to Hoover School. I still went to Mary's house in the morning before school when Mary made me breakfast, and came back after school, when Mary made me a snack.
So Mary continued to be there every day for me through grade school and on through middle school until my family moved away from CR.
But I did keep in touch with Mary - on through college, then when I had a wife and son brought them to town to meet Mary and Jack. I spoke with Mary several times a year on the phone, always went by to see her when I was in town - when she lived on First Avenue, then at Higley Mansion. I know she enjoyed the flowers i would send on Mother's Day and on her birthday -- wow, she almost made it to one hundred!
Now I count 65 years knowing Mary. She was always kind to me, never cross. She never raised her voice to me. Mary was such an unfailingly good and kind person who left me with many, many wonderful memories.
I will miss her very much.
Michael Kelly Roberts
September 14, 2019
Remembering the early days you and Jack wanted to trade trees. He dug up our ash tree and returned with the maple
??. The times Santa ???? came to visit all the neighborhood kids at your house. The pigeons and the roses?? ...
Bob & Eleanor Hearst
September 13, 2019
I have fond memories of Mary and Jack. They were my neighbors when I was growing up. They attended my first communion.
And for all the kids in the neighborhood you will remember this… “I spy Julie behind Platt’s big tree!”
Thank you for the fond memories.
Julie Hearst
September 13, 2019