? In remembrance of Mary Birx December 18, 2020
Surrounded with all the love of her family and her eldest son by her bedside, Mary passed peacefully. She was called “home” by God, her heavenly father. Mary was raised Southern Baptist. She was baptized in the river near Isaac’s Creek, West Virginia.
She was a long-standing member of the First Baptist Church Of Rochester, New York. Great Grandma Mary was also an enthusiastic meditator, practicing Transcendental Meditation – for over 50 years!
We loved and appreciated our mom’s many talents when she was with us here on earth. We will never forget her.
With pride and joy our remembrances include:
* Her enjoyment of bowling, bridge, dancing, cooking, baking, shorthand – pride in her work as
a secretary at the U.of R., Xerox Tower in Rochester, executive secretary at the Xerox home
office in Stamford, Connecticut and Xerox in Webster.
* Nature walks; hunting for mushrooms, spring flowers at the park, finding Trillium and Lady
Slippers, Jack-in-the-Pulpits.
* Watching birds: “Oh the red cardinal.“
* A good cup of coffee by the lake at Sunset Camp while swinging gently in the hammock.
* Babies – mother had a blissful love of babies – her own three, her four grandchildren and her
three great grandchildren. Holding babies was one of her greatest joys!
Little known facts about Mom:
• Gently bobbing on the waves of the lake in the wooden row boat, she caught the biggest bass of the summer one year at Moreau Lake.
She also held a pistol like a pro and hit more beer cans than the visiting state police officer or the men at the cabin.
But she did not like to go up in the ferris wheel at Roseland Park. Rocking back-and-forth at the top of that wheel was not fun for her, nor did she like riding the roller coaster, at all!
Music by Harry Belafonte, Frank Sinatra and the big bands were all thrilling to her.
As a child growing up in the hills of West Virginia, she was a proud member of the 4H and won many sewing awards. She learned to appreciate sewing from her mother, our grandma Cunningham who made handmade quilts.
Mother liked eating at the Olive Garden. She liked anything and everything Italian. She respected diversity and attended many world peace assemblies. She admired Oprah, President Jimmy Carter and President Barack Obama. She always encouraged us to do our best. “Do the best you can with what you’ve got at the time you’ve got it.
• She herself was the writer of beautiful letters, describing nature, food, and meals. She was compassionate and caring for sick friends and family members. Mom gave away quarts and quarts of homemade vegetable soup, potato soup, baked custard and her homemade blue cheese dressing. (only made with Hellman’s)
Mom also made potato salad by the bowl full for picnics and family reunions. She baked the best peanut butter cookies and most nutritious oatmeal cookies in the world. She always said: “Eat them when they come right out of the oven while they’re hot – that’s when they are the best!“
She revered the printed word – the Bible, her hymnal, books, magazines, and personal letters. She tells us that she and her mom didn’t have much but when she got a hold of a book, she would read it by the light of the fire, “ … like Abe Lincoln.” She was actually born in a log cabin in Spiro, Oklahoma.
Questions for you: Who can find a four leaf clover on a casual walk?
Who sees the divine creation unfold in a cactus blossom or a sky full of clouds above?
Our beloved mother!
We’ll miss you dearly, Mom!
This article is getting very long. I could quote mother and say:
“I’m trying to hurry but it doesn’t work.” January 17, 2015.
Mary will be lovingly remembered by her children: *Doug Birx and his wife Linda Birx,
*Karen Jordan and her husband Jim Jordan,
*Bill Birx and his wife Peggy Birx
and granddaughters Roxanne and Caitlin Birx,
*Grandson Jaime Jordan and his wife Ania and Mom’s great granddaughter Zoe Jordan, *Granddaughter Heidi Kenty and her husband Brian Kenty
and Mom’s great grandchildren Elana and Rhodes Kenty.
Towards the end of her life Mary would look up at us, spread her arms wide open and say: “It’s all love!”
She loved to sing-along on her favorite song when we would sing:
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray.
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away.“
Comments
17 responses to “Birx, Mary”
Such a beautiful description of a beautiful lady whom we’ll never forget. God bless you, Mary, and may you be dancing blissfully with the angels. May loving memories bring everyone in the family comfort, serenity, and peace.
Beautiful reflections on a life well lived; our condolences to the Birx family on their loss
A wonderful tribute to an unforgettable lady and a life well lived! Always loved the twinkle in her eye when she smiled. Much love to all of the Birx family. Rest easy Grandma Mary
Beautiful article about Aunt Mary! I never knew she was born in Oklahoma. I have so many memories of her and my favorite quote is “Well, Maybe it isn’t all that important anyway.”
Please know that even side roads lead us in many directions, The main highway leads home, we know Mary is home. In our hearts, in our thoughts, in our daily living. Home is a great place.
Karen, the thoughts of your 67 classmates are with you and your family. You were blessed to have her on earth for such a very long time. I will post this info in our 67 group so that you might get some additional comments from long time friends.
I worked with Mary at Xerox Square in the late 60s. She shared a cookie recipe with me and I still make them every Christmas. She was a very sweet, giving lady.
I loved seeing all of these great pictures of Mary and reading her beautiful tribute. My mom, Louise Spencer, and Mary were residents of Maplewood Nursing Home in Fairport for many years. They were such good friends and played bridge together. She used to call my mom “Weesie!” I used to have dinner often with both my mom and Mary. Mary was the first person I told about my mom’s passing back in 2010. I will miss sending her Christmas cards with pictures of my grandchildren. God bless Mary.
What a beautiful tribute, Karen! My deepest sympathies. Sandy Schrader Goehle ‘67
Karen, I was so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. It sounds like she lived a very full life and you were all lucky to have here with you for so long. May all your happy memories comfort you and your family.
Wonderful tribute. My deepest sympathies for your loss.
So sorry, Karen. It sounds like your Mom lived life to the fullest. My Mom also worked at the Square in the 60s. Back then it was the place to be!! May you find comfort in your happy memories. Cathy Dechamps Heap ’67.
What a beautiful tribute! What a wonderful life shared. I am very sorry for your loss.
Karen: Your tribute shows the amazing life and times of your mother. Sorry to hear of her passing
Such beautiful memories of Mary. I was fortunate to have benefited from the close friendship of the Birx extended family, and always felt welcomed by Mary when getting together. I was active as a TM teacher in Rochester when Mary was so helpful as a volunteer helping with our activities from a professional and secretarial level. She was a true blessing to us all. I have to believe her Soul lives on within our memories and continues to bless us with her unbounded love. Best wishes to all the Birx family.
Karen: I want to let you know my thoughts are with you on the passing of your mother even though it has been 55 years since we’ve seen each other.
Karen – Here are additional comments from our 67 group on facebook:
Ellen Hull Wyckoff So sorry to hear this. Thinking of you and sending hugs and prayers, Karen. ?
Lucille King Gress So very sorry for your loss. Hugs and prayers. ?
John MinerPrayers and blessings for you, Karen.
Pat Sensabaugh Thinking of you Karen at this time,blessings sent from your friends and classmates
Dorothy Mayo Raymer Very sorry for your loss, Karen.
Nancy Lauder Brown Thinking of you at this tender time.
Chris Allen Mary was such a warm and giving woman! I was fortunate to have had a close friendship with Karen and most of her extended family, including her mother, Mary. She was always welcoming and an inspiration to our circle of friends. Please convey my wishes
Cathy HeapSo sorry, Karen
Judi Pittinaro Hall So sorry for your loss Karen.
Kathleen DeWitt Hess I’m so sorry for your and your family’s loss.
David Friar My sincere condolences