Mary Elizabeth Auchard

For My Aunt Mary,

It's times like these that allow you to go back in your mind and relive lots and lots of great memories from the past.

Random thoughts that come to mind......

My Aunt Mary would not want us to sit around and be sad. She would want us to remember good times and move forward.

Did you ever notice that Aunt Mary rarely smiled in photographs?

You never needed to spend time thinking about what was on her mind. She would tell you straight out, no filter, sometimes right between the eyes. Might even be a little salty..good thing swear jars hadn't been created.

It was in the late 1990s, I hadn't seen her in a while since she moved to Arizona. I was in the Phoenix area on business and arranged to see her and the rest of the family. After the initial hugs, she says "Boy, I thought that I got fat."

Like a fine wine, some might say that my Aunt Mary was an "acquired taste".

I had forgotten about her knitting skills. Everybody got something. For me, I was ten years old and I got a sweater. A whole sweater made with the brightest yellow yarn you can imagine. I wore that sweater to school every day that fall. Nobody would even think of trying to steal it.

A few years later, when Irene met Howie, I looked forward to Fridays when Howie would pick me up at Grandma's, take me to Monroe, and bring me back on Sunday night. She was always happy to see me.

Every time I hear someone mention Mitch Miller, I can't help but visualize the big reel to reel tape recorder that they had, with recordings of Mitch Miller, that got played at every family christening, graduation party and engagement party. Roll out the Barrel Aunt Mary. Roll out the Barrel. Show them all how it's done.


Forever in our hearts and minds......

Raymond

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.