I offer my condolences to Sus, Judy, Holly, and their families for their loss. And I offer condolences also to those who were privileged, as I was, to call Mary a friend. My friendship with Mary has seen many phases of our lives. We knew each other as young single women, as newlyweds, as mothers, and as retired persons. We knew each other during some of life's challenges too. But throughout all of these phases, I could always count on Mary's sparkling wit and personality. To me, she was like the spice on a dish — always able to spot an irony in life situations that would inspire us both to laugh. Mary had an unmistakable style, one which eschewed the tame and timid and embraced the vibrant and vivid — and this is how she lived her life too. She had an infectious energy, and even though in recent years it didn't work out for Mary and me to visit, I feel her absence nonetheless. When I think of Mary, I recall not only the fun times we had together, just the two of us, but I recall with fondness our family outings as well. These are the memories I most treasure. What a special person Mary was; and I'm so fortunate to say that she graced my life.