Not long after I moved into The Palace I began to participate in the water exercise classes at The Club. In those days, the classes were held at 8:15 a.m. in the teen's pool, shallower in the first half which is good for non-swimmers. At that hour of the morning, that pool was in the shade of my building so it was bit chilly. But, we were troopers! I was the youngest, with several being a good 20 years my senior. They did not want to listen to me complain about the cold---ha, ha!
Last summer in the teen pool, tight quarters!
I am thinking Randy is the only one besides me, I think, from the original group. He is in his 70's and has some dementia going on so am not sure how much longer he'll be coming to the class. Anyway, another of the originals was Mary Lew, a long-time Club member. She was a florist by trade and was called upon to help decorate in The Club for special occasions like Mother's Day, Easter, the big holidays, etc. She would also join the fun on Wednesday nights, occasionally coming for Happy Hour. She was a low-talker, I know I've mentioned this in the past. The room was already noisy and those with hearing problems had a dilly of a time hearing what Mary Lew had to say.
She loved books and would spend time before our classes reading and basking in the sun. More than once she suggested our group bring our books and share them but somehow it never happened. She let me borrow one of hers, and it was such a good read. 'I Feel Bad About My Neck', written by screen writer/director Nora Ephron. It was about getting older and the things which go with it. It was funny as well as reflective about our lives. Loved it! That year for Christmas Mary Lew gave me another of Nora's books. I was so glad that she told me she had a gift for me so I was ready with one for her. I gave her a special bookmark, but can't recall what else. The book she gave me is on the table in my living room, as I write this.
A couple years ago Mary Lew was in a car accident while taking her daughter for cancer treatments. It was not her fault but unfortunately she ended up on the hospital for a couple of weeks with a head injury. Mary Lew never came back to class for several reasons, one including not being happy with how her legs looked in a suit. She was teeny tiny to start with but I guess she got smaller yet and felt funny. Once or twice she did come to join us for a lunch which was nice. It was just not the same without her.
Here is our group from 2012, at Basketique Tea Room. Mary Lew is seated on the left, with Randy next to her. My hand is on Randy's shoulder, and then Marlena, her mom, and Sisti. Back row is Pat A., Pat G., Ollavan, me, Susie, Maggie O., Ina, Lynn, Rita, Lee, Sherry, and Helen.
Mary Lew passed away a week ago, and today was her funeral service. The reception afterward was held at The Club. I had let everyone in our class know, those who knew her prior to two years ago, so they could attend the service and/or reception, or submit memories to the daughter who is assembling a memory book about her mom. Sadly, I was the only one from the class who showed up, except for Marlena, who was there as a guest and not an employee today. I got to meet Mary Lew's family members and many of her friends. The friends who were florists went all out for her, using Mary Lew's own containers to decorate the tables and every available surface with floral arrangements. I am kicking myself for not taking pictures, but I didn't feel right doing so. I hope someone else did! Oh, my! It was splendid, and Mary Lew would have been honored and pleased to see it. Good-bye, Mary Lew!
