Mike called me the other night to tell me of his Mom's passing. We talk frequently and Mary was always a major part of our discussion. Having known Mary and Tom for many years they became part of our Ranch Country Club Family. I always had a big spot in my heart forth of them She always considered Tom, Dick and Harry her second set of children. They were Mom and Dad to the three of us. We spent numerous occasions playing golf, barbecuing, and just socializing when an opportunity arose. She was an inspiration and such a positive influence to all of us in many ways but most of all her love for her family is unbeatable. My condolences, she will be missed.

I am so sad to hear of Mary’s passing. To Audra, Mike and Tom, your mother was a remarkable woman and true friend to all of the people whose lives she touched. In particular, my siblings and I are grateful for her long-term friendship with our parents, Bob & Donna Montgomery. For many years they were best of friends with Tom and Mary, whether playing golf at Highland Hills or cards in your folks’ rec room. In 2009, I moved back to Greeley and soon became Donna’s “driver”. At minimum that meant three trips a week: One to Taco Bell for a taco and a coke, one to McDonalds for a “senior” coffee and most important, one to Mary’s house for their weekly “coffee break” with Ruth Dill and the rest of the Highland Hills gang (some times that party became a “wine tasting” much to the delight of all concerned). Those three regular trips gave my mom something to look forward to each week and helped to make her final years so much nicer than they would have otherwise been. I was so grateful for your mom’s willingness to open her home so frequently that one time when visiting from out of state, I bought an expensive bottle of champagne, took it to Mary’s house and instructed her to pop it open at their next “tasting”. I remember she was so excited about the prospects of indulging in such an extravagant surprise she could hardly contain herself. And the next time I visited, she took me downstairs to the bar to show me where she had displayed the empty bottle as proof that she had complied with my wishes. I was so happy that it had gone as planned, I gave her a big hug and promised to be there in person for their next party.

I loved visiting Mary for many reasons, but top of the list was the time I first noticed the framed photos in her rec room. I commented that they looked a lot like Ansel Adams’ photography and you can imagine my surprise when she told me of their authenticity. As a lifelong admirer of his work, it was beyond a thrill for the first time in my life to see them in person and not in a coffee table book. I told her, “I hope your kids appreciate what you’ve got here” and she assured me that of course you did.

Although we’ve never met, I feel like I know all of you from the many conversations we had through the years. She was so very proud of all of you, she could barely contain herself. Whether the topic involved your families, your careers, whatever, she would beam with enthusiasm and a level of admiration that only a mother can sustain.

All of us who knew her will miss her terribly. But I hope all of you will take some comfort in knowing that her love and generosity of spirit made a remarkable difference in the lives of those around her. My sincerest condolences.
Craig Montgomery
and the family of Bob & Donna Montgomery
Kirk, Kim & Christi Donaldson