A tribute to Aunt Mary - a very special Angel

I had the opportunity to meet Aunt Mary and learn about the wonderful work she loved to do for our soldiers last August. Her Niece wrote me and sent this photo of Aunt Mary filling snack bags to send to wounded soldiers in the hospital in Balad, Iraq.

She was 101 years old when this picture was taken, and her niece wrote that "she and Aunt Mary packed 24 snack bags for the hospital in Balad today, it was the PERFECT job for her and she was truly disappointed when we were done all too quickly. She made noises about going and getting more stuff so it's off to Big Lots we go... feel free to use the picture perhaps to inspire other Angels to get involved too. We can't let a 101 year young lady show us up! "

Aunt Mary passed away during the night in her sleep very peacefully on February 8, 2007 . She had started to decline shortly after the new year, and had been under the care of hospice for the last 3 weeks. Of course she was very sweet natured up until the very end.

Since supporting "her soldiers" was so important to Aunt Mary, her family asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Soldiers Angels, 1792 E. Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104

Here is a video tribute her family had been working on for her birthday party, but feel it is even more appropriate now to share these pictures/music with all the people that loved her. One of the most endearing characteristics of Aunt Mary was how appreciative she always was, for even the smallest thing you did for her. She loved to say..."wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!" Hence, the music in the video...

http://www.mydeo.com/videorequest.asp?XID=11238&CID=72363

We feel absolutely honored to have had the opportunity to take care of her the past few years, and just incredibly blessed to have had her in all our lives for almost 102 years...what a gift!With love, Bob, Mary Jo, Rachel and Rick Stamper

I just know there are ranks of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen standing at attention and gently escorting her by the arm as she enters those Pearly Gates this morning.

God Bless, Aunt Mary.

Roger