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Winter 2002
Mary Frew. I have worried about her and prayed for her for the past few months; but I was sure she would pull through. She always did. She always came through. She came through for many, many people in her
89 years, especially children and families - a passion that we shared with her.
If you did not know her, please know that she touched your life anyway. In January of 1996 I interviewed Mary
for an article in the Rainbow Review (Was that really 6 years ago?). I already knew that she was a remarkable person - a strong woman that I wished to emulate.
Mary earned her Master's
Degree in Child Development at the University of Iowa. She began working on her doctorate, but got married instead. She reported that she "...never once regretted it." Mary and Don had four children. When the
youngest was not quite two, Mary became the founding teacher of the Dearborn Co-op (Incidentally, my children attended that co-op and it is there that I had my first teaching job).
Co-op was a
little different then; mothers had to attend classes in child development, first-aid and nutrition before being accepted. The waiting list was so long at the Dearborn Co-op that Dearborn Village and Fairland Co-op
were formed to accommodate the additional families.
The GDCNC and the MCCN formed around the same time. Mary branched out to share her energy and knowledge with families all over the state.
After 10 years of teaching co-op, Mary was recruited to become a licensing consultant. For 20 years she traveled the Greater Detroit area helping to ensure quality preschools for countless children. Don, her supportive partner, often accompanied her.
In 1996 the Michigan Association for Education of the Young Child awarded Mary a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Last January I applied for a scholarship. In the
essay I wrote, "One of my role models is a very active 88-year-old woman who still rallies for the importance of children and their education. I see her going strong at 88 and I know that it is not too late for me."
I received that scholarship and they reprinted that part of my essay in the program. I had the chance to share that with Mary and tell her she was my hero. I felt a little corny and sappy, but I am so glad that I
took the chance to tell her how I felt. I will never forget her response. She said that I was HER hero.
She will live on in my heart as I continue to aspire to the lifetime of achievement that
she accomplished. She will, no doubt live on in you too, as she has improved the lives of children and families for many years-- just like all of YOU do.
Last night I watched a movie
with my family - a comedy. At the end, the people who had toiled for the $2 million prize began giving it all away to the needy. As each person put his or her stack of money into the pot, he or she began jumping up
and down and dancing wildly about. I thought how true it was that when you give things away, when you help others, you become lighter and happier yourself. I thought about Mary and I cried. I will miss her. She is
one of the people who helped me learn that lesson.
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