EULOGY FOR MARY E. RICKARD

The saying goes, "Oh! If we could only see ourselves as others see us." And, it is also true that all too often we never learn of our impact on the lives of others. For it is at moments such as this, the funeral for Mary Elizabeth Rickard, that the joy, the surprise and the caring we experience with another, friend, family member, neighbor is brought to the surface and made public.

We all have our personal traits and histories that are humorous or funny, serious or sad, generous and thoughtful, all too human, that we experience or we generate and leave behind for others to reflect upon that characterize our lives; lives that are often remembered by the smallest and seemingly most insignificant events.

For example: Mary's niece, Margie remembers MiMi, as she was known to her family, taking her to her very first movie at a local theater. The movie? 'Mary Poppins'. And, accordingly, Margie pictures MiMi as Mary Poppins in her memories.

Bobby will remember virtually growing up on Wellston Place, in the house that Grandpa Rickard built, surrounded by the Rickard family and the love and attention he received from aunt MiMi. Especially while dad was away during WWII and the years of national recovery following that war, when Americans again began rebuilding their lives.

While I myself have many fond memories of MiMi, there is one memory in particular that was both touching and principled. I will carry it with me always.

Winston Churchill, statesman and Prime Minister of England once said, "We make a living by what we get, but.....We make a life by what we give."

Many years ago, at a time when I was struggling financially and wondering where I would find the cash to buy Christmas gifts for my daughter Kristina, a card unexpectedly appeared in the mail. It was from my aunt MiMi. Enclosed was a check, and the card read, "Remember this, and one day you will help someone else." To this day I do not know how she knew. I had not made any mention of my concerns to her. But, she knew! And her unsolicited generosity has had an impact on me, and no doubt many others, that will live long past her time on this earth.

Coming from simple and modest beginnings, MiMi was just an average middle-class American. But she had some flare for entrepreneurship. In her life, MiMi, along with her sister Margaret, our mom, had owned and operated some local dress shops in O'Bryonville and Madisonville. She had a great artistic talent for flower arranging at 'Flowers by Marjorie' in O'Bryonville, and for many years as a saleslady at fashionable 'Martin's' at Hyde Park Plaza. Full of energy, and vivacious, and maybe just a little bit hyper-active (ha, ha), MiMi continued working well into the years that most people spend in retirement. Not because she had to, but because she enjoyed people, making their acquaintance and their friendship. She was a real pro. And a talented one at that!

Late in life, Mary reflected on her years. She felt accomplished in her work, loved in her family, experienced in her travels, happy in her community and ready for the Lord to bring her home. Leonardo da Vinci put it best, when he said, "As a well-spent day brings sleep, so life well used brings happiness in death."

George M. Cohan, the famous broadway entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, director and producer {he was a very talented and busy man} wrote a popular melody called "Mary". The song's refrain went.....

FOR IT WAS MARY, MARY, PLAIN AS ANY NAME CAN BE

BUT WITH PROPRIETY, SOCIETY WILL SAY 'MARIE'.

BUT IT WAS MARY, MARY, LONG BEFORE THE FASHIONS CAME

AND THERE IS SOMETHING THERE THAT SOUNDS SO FAIR

IT'S A GRAND OLD NAME!

And, stating with the most flattering of intended graces and class that she was, Mary was a grand 'ole dame.