I have yet to post from when I was in Utah last week, but I will. As dad and I were driving down to Canyonlands to go camping I got a text saying that Mary was in her last hours, at times incoherent I think due to the increase in meds to help the tremendous pain she was in. Needless to say I was incredibly torn. Here I am on my way to spend time camping with dad, and I’m wondering if I’ll make it home before my friend passes. I wanted to fly home that instant, but instead I grieved quietly to myself making no mention of it to dad. I also knew that my phone would have no service in the canyons for a while, and it greatly concerned me that I would find out all too late that she had gone. I remained preoccupied throughout the weekend, and in prayer for Mary, Joe, family and friends I knew would be with her, and those who couldn’t be there but desperately wanted to be as I did.
Monday night I received a text that she had passed at 10:57. I found out upon my return home that the weekend was spent, when she was able, having loved ones sing and worship with her, even playing guitar at times. What a way to pass into eternity. She worshipped until her last breath, and she worships still, in His very presence. Truly, she is a worshiper. This Friday is the viewing. I will not be attending for various reasons. I will most definitely be attending the memorial, funeral, and fellowship this Saturday. CCMI has info on that. Check her website for a note from Pastor Malcolm. Please pray for Joe, Mary’s mother, and the friends close to her. Please helpl Joe out financially if you can as he still has much to take care of. You can find info on her’s or CCMI’s site. Here’s the link to her obituary. http://www.legacy.com/floridatoday/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=120221524 Also, it’s possible her service will be live on the CCMI site Saturday. I leave you, without his permission so I won’t mention his name, an email we received from a man who knew her well, loved her deeply, and lead worship with her across the Earth. He says it well.
One more time I’ve watched someone I love finish the race. Mary is not someone who just barely made it across the finish line—she burst through the ribbon in a full sprint with a beaming smile and plenty of life still in the tank. But our times are in His hands and He knows the number of our days. Therefore, let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
What a privilege it has been to know Mary. She was a dear friend to Rosie and me. I think I can say she was like a sister. She was a gifted songwriter, musician, and singer, but those are just part of who she was. She was, in every sense of the word, “A Worshipper”. She was a great example to every married person, of how we ought to be toward our spouse. Someone has said “there are two kinds of people in the world—givers and takers”. Mary was a giver. She gave her time and talent willingly, many times to the point of physical depletion. She was always grateful for any expression of thanks but, never expecting or looking for it. She ministered to small and large groups with the same energy. Whether it was a few people in a bible study or thousands at a festival, she offered her best for the glory of the Lord. She played all over the United states and in many countries around the world. D.L. Moody said “the world is yet to see what God can do with a man (or woman) totally dedicated to Him”. Well, maybe we’ve not yet seen it but, we certainly saw someone get close.
Many wanted to claim her as their own but, after Joe and her mom, I’m so blessed to say, she belonged to us (both current and former members) of Calvary Chapel Merritt Island.
Mary was found to have ovarian cancer in January of this year. After surgery, she was told there was also another cancer present in her body that was very aggressive. It seemed with every doctor visit the news worsened. Her cancer count was over 300 and chemo was started right away. Though the doctors offered little hope, we saw the bad numbers decrease through the year and by July it was down to only 8. We were so excited that she just might beat this thing after all. During this time she still fulfilled many of her prior commitments to lead worship all around the country. She played through her pain and blessed many. Then in early September, Joe called Rosie and said Mary was in Holmes Hospital suffering from severe stomach pain. At that time Joe was still working. His job took him every other month to New York so, he asked Rosie and I to go and see her. After a scan they told her the stomach area was clear however there were some spots on the liver that needed a closer look. Those spots turned out to be cancer and the doctors could not offer any more help.
On October 12th, my friend Ray came down from North Carolina and led worship with Mary, Rosie and I at Calvary Chapel Merritt Island. What a night it was. We planned 8 songs and then Malcolm joined us and led 5 or 6 more songs. It seemed like a lot of songs but, had we known she would never lead worship there again, we might have played all night. The last time she led worship in church was at Calvary Melbourne. The Holy Spirit used her in a mighty way on that Wednesday night.
She went to Nashville the following Sunday to record her final CD. I’ve heard one song so far and the soaring, majestic melody and composition simply left me speechless. You will be amazed. She returned home on Friday the 31st and on the following Friday November 7th she was admitted to the Hospice Center. We spent 2 unforgettable days with her there. God’s sweet Spirit filled the place. Finally on Monday she had little ability to speak and yet we were one in the Lord. There she laid, beautiful and glowing as her breathing went from labored to calm. Then at 10:57 Monday night she let out her last breath of earthly air and took in her first breath of heavenly air.
May the impact of her life continue to inspire all those she touched for god’s glory.
I was blessed to be at CCM the last time she lead worship on Earth. At times I’m surprise at the depth of love I have for Mary, and at the depth of grief I feel in my heart. I realized recently that not only because of her life do I grieve deeply, but she’s the closest person (I’m not speaking relationally) to me that has ever died. Deeply grieved, yet deeply joyful, for I know in Whom she has believed, and that she stands at last now worshipping face to Face.
