A New Angel in Heaven...
As reported at our last meeting, Mary Alice Marshall was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 18 with severe pancreatitis. After a difficult two days, she passed away on Friday Dec. 20th. Her family was by her side, and after 104 years on earth, she was ready to go.
Mary Alice was so proud of her Rotary affiliations. She was a Rotary Ann when her husband, Robert was a Rotarian, and cherished her role as an Honorary Rotarian. She was the heart of our Christmas program each year, coming to play carols while our club tried to sing along. This year, she was tested when presented with a keyboard - she'd never played on of those she explained, hedging any hiccups in her performance. In true Mary Alice fashion, she played beautifully and led a rollicking Jingle Bells and Rudolph for kids of all ages who were happy to see Santa and Mary Alice in one day!
Our members all have their own connection to this musical and energetic dynamo. Some were her students, others colleagues, and still others had developed special roles in her life. Shawn Hunt had become her personal Rotary chauffeur, Erik Ray spent time interviewing her and singing with her, and Richard Schneider quipped that though she often called him Robert, he was happy just to be in her presence. But everyone was honored to call her friend, and felt as though they'd been in the company of greatness when with her.
A visitation will be held on Dec. 26th from 4:00 - 7:00 at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home, and her service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday Dec. 27th at First United Methodist Church. As the crowds will be large, our membership is encouraged to arrive early.