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Turning 90 with Mary Marsh Sharing Memories
photo provided Mary Marsh |
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Tuesday May 25, 2010
By Cookie Steponaitis
For many area residents who are in their forties there is a woman whose home and cooking was more a destination than a location. Everyone knows that if you want good food and great laughs you go see Mary Marsh or simply Grammy Marsh as she is known. And, for those lucky enough to have grown up in her presence and her kitchen, there are few places as welcoming or wonderful than the home of Mary and her family in Ferrisburgh, Vermont. Born Mary Louise Mason on June 17, 1920 on Shuteville Mountain in Albany, VT, Mary was one of ten children, seven boys and three girls born to Elvia (Shatney) and Lewis Mason. The Mason family had a small farm and everyone had their chores to do. Mary’s job was to “go get the cows” on her horse and bring them back to the barn from the paddock. She also helped do the dishes, pick berries and apples, help with the haying and take care of the younger children. Now as luck would have it at the foot of the mountain was the Marsh family and when Dale Marsh crossed her path Mary’s future was changed. Any trip into town would lead her past Dale’s house. Dale originally dated her older sister, Desmah. When asked why he stopped seeing Desmah and started seeing Mary, Mary jumped in and said, “Because I was prettier!”
While the family may have differing opinions on how the pair came to be, no one doubts the longevity or power of the match up. Mary and Dale were married November 2, 1936 in Irasburg, VT and were married for 55 years before Dale’s passing in 1991. They lived many years in Albany on the Marsh farm and in the village. Dale built houses, barns, potato warehouses and bridges and when a job was completed they often had to move to be closer to the next job. Over the years they moved 13 times, to towns including Derby Line, Cambridgeport, Middletown Springs, Addison and finally settling at Button Bay. As the family moved, it increased in size and a total of five children were born. Elaine was born in 1937; Stewart in 1948 and Joan in 1961. Two other children passed away as infants.
Noted for her homemaking abilities, Mary was always cooking and making her home a place to visit and be made welcome. Mary loved to make chocolate cakes, apples pies, homemade bread, donuts and Christmas pickles. Mary has always loved to go “berrying.” She was a member of the Vergennes Garden Club, United Methodist Women and Home Dem for many years. She also served as a 4-H leader, PTO president and has always loved children. She has always loved country music and just went to see Alan Jackson at the Mohegan Sun Casino.
In addition to her love of home and cooking, Mary is still exceptional in her knowledge and love of flowers. Her prized favorites include her roses, peonies and tulips. She loves to watch and feed the birds and Cardinals are her favorites. She has been known to adopt anything that comes to the door with fur, including a skunk that she fed all one winter. Animals, like people are drawn to Mary for her consistent patience and unquestioning trust she has in them. This way of life is actually the best advice Mary ever felt she was given and she shared, “You should always help other people and you will never be sorry.”
One of her most memorable times in Ferrisburgh happened during 1962. Her husband Dale was employed for many years for the Vermont Department of Forests and Parks as maintenance supervisor at the Button Bay State Park. During his tenure Mary and the family were a part of several historic events that took place at the site. The Girl Scout Round-Up in 1962 was a very special time for Mary and her family at Button Bay. She served as the “hostess” for 10, 000 Girl Scouts from all over the world who camped in her backyard. Mary was also the first caretaker at the D.A.R. State Park before moving to Button Bay State Park in the late 1950’s. She lived at Button Bay for a little over 20 years and then helped Dale as caretaker of Kingsland Bay State Park. She has always enjoyed meeting people and making them feel at ease. When asked to choose words to describe Mary, her children found the task almost impossible but settled finally on kind, patient, strong and loving.
Great verbs indeed for a woman who has raised not only her family but enriched the lives of countless others who came to her home and were made honorary members of the Marsh clan. For countless hugs, smiles, cookies, meals and memories, the Valley Voice salutes Mary Marsh and her future birthdays yet to come. If ever you are in Ferrisburgh stop by and you will find Mary sitting on the deck, admiring her flowers, and watching her birds with her family, for they are her heartbeat and life. Mary would even encourage trying something new and going without television for a while. In her “day” her older brothers would read often from the Bible to the younger children. They played games, played outside and “worked hard.” This was the center of her family life and is still this day. Only don’t ask her to part with her washing machine. She really does enjoy that piece of technology because it helps her take care of those she loves.
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