a clinker that would make your teeth ache

Hi Mary, First of all, Happy 70th Birthday from the O'Briens. We are so happy to be able to add our greetings to the avalanche of wishes coming your way. May you have a wonderful, happy, blessed, peace filled new birthday year and many years to come.

My memories of Mary, are many and they are all enjoyable, happy, fun filled, miracle making, memories. Many of them revolve around the Theater group. (that's where most of the miracles occurred.) How we were able to do what we did on the non- existant budget we had, and get so much cooperation from so many and discover talent in people they didn't know they had, along with bringing fun and laughter to the community was truly a miracle--especially when we really didn't know what the heck we were doing!
Another memory I have of Mary involves her musical talent. Our daughter Mary, a 5th grader, was learning to play the organ in our church. Mary Schwister, with her beautiful voice carried the musical load at church as the Catholics hadn't learned to sing yet. One Sunday our organist,Thelma,(our organist for over 50 years), was unable to play so 5th grader Mary offerred to play. She was playing, and Mary Schwister was singing. Little Mary hit a clinker that would make your teeth ache, but big Mary didn't hesitate for a second. She hit that clinker right on key with the organ. I had a feeling half the congregation had no idea what happened. It took a ton of talent to sing THAT far off key so accurately! I was very impressed with Mary's ablility to sing and adapt. I doubt Mary ever hit that note again, at least I hope she never had to hit it again.

Thank you so much, Mary, for generously sharing your time and talents all these years. Wherever you have lived, you have brightened up your world. God Bless. Love, Yvonne and Pat