Mary Elizabeth Colby

COLBY-Mary Elizabeth Colby, 93, died on the 23rd of December in San Clemente, California. Born July 31st, 1914, Mary (b. Mary Elizabeth Reid) founded Port O'Call, Pasadena, a chain of gift stores, and became known for her infectious passion for fine art, collectibles, and antiques. She grew up on Shady Brook Dairy Farm in Scottsburg, Indiana and went on to graduate Phi Beta Kappa from Indiana University, where she studied journalism and was President of her sorority Alpha Chi Omega. At Indiana, she became President of Associated Students and contributed a daily poem to the university newspaper, affectionately dubbed, "Mary E's Bonnet Bees." In 1936, she married Rudolph Burton Showers Myers, and they had one daughter Cheryl Showers Myers (later Cheri Colby Langdell). Shortly after their divorce in 1944, Colby became a buyer for J. W. Robinson & Co. As head of three departments, Mary made yearly trips to Europe to buy lamps, gifts, and mirrors and acquire d acumen in retailing. She was the first American woman buyer in Europe after World War II. After many trips abroad and a successful career as a buyer, Mary married Edward Pendleton Colby in 1954. Together, they founded Port O' Call, Pasadena, a gift shop and clothing boutique that quickly became a Southern California institution. Port O' Call grew into a chain of thirteen stores. A scrupulous owner and manager, she could often be found balancing numerous tasks - greeting customers, fitting models for fa shion shows, or scouting out new merchandise for her stores from Lido to Twenty-nine Palms. Mary and Ed loved to travel and found homes-away-from-home in Europe and Hawaii. In 1980, Mary established Colby Galleria, a 7000-square foot antiques emporium based in San Clemente, one of the largest antiques businesses on the West Coast. After selling that business, she started Mary Colby Antiques and Appraisals, also in San Clemente. She became known in the area not only as a community leader, but also for her an tiques appraisal expertise and for her warm and welcoming personality. In her stores, one could find a wide variety of fine art and antiques, the result of a lifetime of searching. She attained the highest level of qualification for appraisers in the United States and was internationally renowned. A portion of her collection can be seen today on display at Casa Romantica in San Clemente. A memorial service was held yesterday in San Gabriel. Mary leaves one daughter, Cheri, a stepdaughter Berry, and three grandchildren, Melissa, Sebastian, and Rainy. Those wishing to send flowers are encouraged to send donations instead to Camp Stevens in Julian, California, for the rebuilding of the Episcopal camp, destroyed by fire in 2007. Cabot & Sons, Pasadena