Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

Bad people in a position to do bad things will do bad things because they are bad people. End of story.

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

“Let’s not pretend [Trump] wants to engage in high-minded discourse.”

Fani Willis claps back at Trump chihuahua, Jim Jordan.

But frankly mr. cole, I’ll be happier when you get back to telling us to go fuck ourselves.

If you thought you’d already seen people saying the stupidest things possible on the internet, prepare yourselves.

It’s pointless to bring up problems that can only be solved with a time machine.

Fuck the extremist election deniers. What’s money for if not for keeping them out of office?

I wonder if trump will be tried as an adult.

Relentless negativity is not a sign that you are more realistic.

The problem people have with Biden’s age is the color of the VPs skin.

“When somebody takes the time to draw up a playbook, they’re gonna use it.”

A lot of Dems talk about what the media tells them to talk about. Not helpful.

Every day Vance writes another chapter in the book called “Worst VP Pick Ever”.

If you are still in the gop, you are either an extremist yourself, or in bed with those who are.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

I’m starting to think Jesus may have made a mistake saving people with no questions asked.

rich, arrogant assholes who equate luck with genius

The US Supreme Court is on the ballot in november.

When you’re a Republican, they let you do it.

The Supreme Court is corrupt. Democrats must win in November and force court reform.

Republicans choose power over democracy, every day.

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

You are here: Home / Absent Friends / RIP / RIP, Mary G

RIP, Mary G

by | 207 Comments

This post is in: 

Some horrible news via Satby, and I am upset to inform you that beloved longtime commenter Mary G has passed. Mary G has been here forever, and was a terribly sweet and kind and funny person. She had suffered from RA for a long time, and passed the other day.

There are a ton of Mary G stories, and I hope you all share them in the comments as well as memories of your interactions with her, but my personal favorite is when she fell in the bathroom without her phone, but had her tablet with her, and she notified people in the comments section that she had fallen and could not get up but could not reach 911. Within minutes, commenters had figured out which emergency services to contact in California, and lit up the switchboard to the point that when the paramedics arrived, they asked her to tell her friends to stop calling 911.

RIP, Mary. You will be missed.

Reader Interactions

207Comments

  2. 2.

    arrieve

    I am so sorry to hear that. I’d actually been wondering about her because I hadn’t seen her postings recently and I knew she wasn’t well. I loved all of her stories, but I’ve quoted the bathroom story a few times when trying to describe this weird blog I read to other people. Rest in peace, Mary.

  7. 7.

    cain

    Mary G was a one in a million and I enjoyed all her posts over the years. RIP, Mary G – may you find peace and tranquility on the other side.

  8. 8.

    Soprano2

    I didn’t know the story about 911. That’s hilarious and uplifting, that so many people cared enough about her to do that. RIP, Mary G.

  10. 10.

    Miss Bianca

    @Baud: I thought so too. Oh, this is upsetting news.

    Like JC, I remember fondly (?) the “Mary G rescues herself across three time zones armed with a tablet and Balloon Juice”.

    Oh, dear. I will miss her presence here so much. Loved hearing about her efforts to socialize her teen housemate(s).

    RIP, Mary G

  11. 11.

    thalarctosMaritimus

    Within minutes, commenters had figured out which emergency services to contact in California, and lit up the switchboard to the point that when the paramedics arrived, they asked her to tell her friends to stop calling 911.

    ❤️

    She was loved.

    I’m so sorry to hear the sad news. I’ll miss her comments.

  12. 12.

    laura

    Sad news on this Spring morning. I hope her supportive household is well and coping, especially the teenager. Blessings to Mary G and all her friends and loved ones.

  15. 15.

    JMG

    I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. She was someone whose memory really will be a blessing.

  21. 21.

    satby

    @Baud: She had improved and was waiting on a surgery decision when last we had an exchange of messages. I don’t know whether she ever had that or not. Her housemate (the teen’s mom) let me know she was gone and will let me know when an obit is posted.

    She was a Christmas Eve baby, and just turned 65 last December. Too young, and I know not ready to go when last we talked, but with her severe RA, she managed to survive longer than average. She was a fighter!

    My favorite story is of her and Higgs Bosun’s Mate. I hope someone gets word to him.

  23. 23.

    satby

    @Baud: And a very generous person. I’ll remember that forever about her. Fortunately, she was able to get online a short time in March and see all the love and welcomes; she knew how much we all loved her.

  27. 27.

    Anyway

    Aw damn! I’m sorry to read this. RIP Mary G. I loved her home improvement stories and anecdotes about the housemate and assorted people in her life.

  28. 28.

    feebog

    Oh no.  Mary was one of my favorite commenters on this almost top 10,000 blog.  Gone far too soon.

  31. 31.

    currants

    Oh no!  I am so sorry.  I loved her garden comments, and I always admired her ability to make a garden in a very dry space and (I have always assumed, but could be wrong!) from a wheelchair.

    Sending flowers to the next world for you, Mary G.

  32. 32.

    Mai Naem mobile

    RIP Mary. This is awful. 65 is way too young. I am going to miss her. I was wondering about her because I hadn’t seen any comments but I didn’t realize she was ill. Condolences to her loved ones.

  33. 33.

    Ruckus

    Damn.

    For those of you who didn’t get to meet Mary in person, she is everything you’ve heard about. I am one of the lucky ones that did and very glad about it. She made life better. RIP Mary.

  34. 34.

    Wolvesvalley

    Oh, no! I am so sorry to see this.

    I will never forget how she rescued Higgs Boson’s Mate. There have been other rescues of Balloon Juice commenters via encouraging words in the comments, but when he commented that he was in dire straits, she actually went out and found him and gave him a home until he recovered. She really was a saint.

  35. 35.

    Old Man Shadow

    I can tell how loved she was by the nice words you all say about her. I’m sorry for your loss.

  36. 36.

    MomSense

    Oh no! She was such a bright light.  I’ll never forget when she rescued a fellow jackal and helped him get back on his feet.  Of course the stories about her mom and her gardens – damn I’m so sad and will miss her.

    I hope that in the great whatever is after she is reunited with her mom and free from the pain and physical restrictions she endured for so long.

    Love you Mary G.

  37. 37.

    geg6

    This is just terrible news.  I’m crying at my desk and have to go to present at a student club event.  I don’t know how I’ll get through it.

    Mary G was truly an institution here and such a kind and lovely person.  She was always helping someone and was always looking at the bright side.  And oh, how she loved her garden.  RIP to a secular saint.  Peace, Mary G.

  38. 38.

    JeanneT

    This is such a loss!  I admired her so much for her resilience and her ability to help others even while coping with her own health struggles.  May her memory stay bright.

  39. 39.

    satby

    I hope someone with great google-fu finds the thread about HBM, in the meanwhile, Mary shared this on Twitter, about losing a friend. The subject was on losing a beloved pet, but the whole thread talks about loss and coping.

  40. 40.

    Shalimar

    rest in peace.  Mary G was a wonderful person and her comments were always worth reading.

  42. 42.

    YY_Sima Qian

    Damn! This is sad news!

    Even during my decade+ of lurking I always enjoyed reading her comments. May she rest in peace!

  43. 43.

    O. Felix Culpa

    I’m in the dentist’s chair, trying not to weep. Mary was a good’un and will be sorely missed.

  44. 44.

    PaulWartenberg

    One thing about living online, be it through the internets with social media, or MMOs gaming, is that you build up a community of sorts.

    Balloon Juice is one of the communities I stay in touch with. I’ve been active more often with the TNC Horde of olde – we’ve moved on from the Atlantic OTANs to Facebook and lately Discord – and we’ve lost a few friends there along the way as well.

    It’s been real noticeable in the City of Heroes MMO I play on, especially after the game came back as an underground, unofficial server (it’s complicated). Whenever words reaches the GMs that a gamer had passed away, they set up a torchlight memorial in one of the game zones and leave it up for a week or so. And in the past year or two especially with COVID they had been putting up a lot of memorials.

    :(

  45. 45.

    Emma from Miami

    Damn. It always seems a little bit darker when one of the good ones leaves us.

  48. 48.

    skerry

    I’m so sad to hear this. I remember the 911 story and what she did for HBM. She will be missed.

  50. 50.

    NeenerNeener

    Oh damn. RIP, Mary G. Mostly what I remember is her wanting to adopt Thurston’s mother, and John talking her out of it because Ginger was not terribly social.

  53. 53.

    lurker dean

    Oh no, rest well, Mary G.  I also remember how she helped HBM, she was such a nice person.

  55. 55.

    West of the Rockies

    I recall seeing her name for years here; she was a steady, consistent contributor.  We will miss her kindness and insights.

  57. 57.

    WaterGirl

    @Ruckus: I found the meetup post from the LA meetup Mary G attended, and I found the 4 Garden Chat posts from Mary G and Higgs Bosun’s Mate together.

    I will put up a post for Mary G this evening that includes those 5 links and (hopefully) the 911 post and the one where she rescued Higgs Bosun’s Mate.

    Mary G was a treasure

    edit: I assume Steeplejack or Another Scott will be able to locate those two posts, so I will wait a bit on the search for them.

  59. 59.

    trollhattan

    Oh gosh, terrible news.

    Such a kind person, who had enough personal challenges for any ten people yet managed to nevertheless reach out to help others (e.g., Higgs). r.i.p. Mary G.

  63. 63.

    WaterGirl

    @satby: I can.  My thinking was that the evening folks would also want an evening thread to honor Mary G.

    But I don’t think anyone will mind seeing them twice.

  64. 64.

    CaseyL

    Devastating news. Mary G was an absolute ray of bright light.  I also remember the HBM saga, and loved hearing how they reinforced each other’s best qualities (and kicked each other’s ass when needed.)

    So, so sorry to hear this.

  66. 66.

    Nutmeg again

    Very sad news. At least, the bathroom story illustrates that this hangout really is a community. That’s a gift.

  68. 68.

    opiejeanne

    @WaterGirl: I am so sorry to hear about this. I just came to say I remember when she rescued Higgs Bosun’s Mate, and brought him home to stay with her. That is the one story I remember vividly, how despondent he was about his life and I wondered how she found him.

    She will be missed.

  73. 73.

    Jerzy Russian

    @opiejeanne:  I remember wondering the same thing (i.e. how Mary managed to find Higgs Boson’s Mate). That whole episode was an amazing act of kindness on Mary’s part.

  75. 75.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Oh god, this is awful news. Crying, once again, for someone I never met. Mary G was one of the most sensible, pragmatic people on this blog who never forgot what she, and we, are all fighting for. I always found her comments worth reading, and always hoped I’d get to meet her in person one day. RIP, Mary G.

  79. 79.

    Betty Cracker

    What shocking and awful news. She was unfailingly kind and generous in all things — the kind of person who made you want to be a better person yourself.

  80. 80.

    debbie

    I thought about Mary G’s absence just a day or two ago, but I was totally not expecting to see this very saddening news.

  83. 83.

    Yarrow

    Oh, such terrible news. I knew she had struggled with RA for a long time and recently had additional health issues. I have been thinking of her so much over the last few days and missing her comments. RIP to a beloved commenter.

    Mary was such a lovely person. Despite her struggles she was always so practical and forward thinking. Her tremendous generosity was impressive and her kindness and compassion came through in her comments.

    I remember when she went and found HBM when he was in a bad place. It was an amazing thing to do and I think they both helped each other for awhile. I also remember a few years ago when she got to go on a cruise! Her pictures were featured in On The Road and there’s a picture of her there too. She loved it and I was so glad for her that she got to go. Link to that post.

    Rest in peace and power, Mary G. We loved you and miss you.

  88. 88.

    bluegirlfromwyo

    She was such a positive person. I always loved hearing her thoughts, especially about the teen housemate! She had a good soul. RIP Mary G

  94. 94.

    Tony Jay

    Ah, this is low news. Mary G was always a cheerful little light even in gloomy times.

    That BJ meet-up at the Pearly Gates steakhouse is going to be a riot.

  96. 96.

    Mike E

    Reading everyone’s comments and looking back through the links has me feeling nostalgic and sad…hug your loved ones either real or virtual!

    Too soon, Mary G. RIP

  97. 97.

    comrade scotts agenda of rage

    Sigh. She’s now the 4th person I’ve “known” who’s succumbed to RA.

    Dammit, I had a friend I’ve known since I was 14 die 2 weeks ago. Another that I’ve known since 1987 went into hospice day-before-yesterday.

    The world of the people they impacted is greatly diminished with their passing.

  99. 99.

    Barbara

    @satby: I didn’t realize that she was so young, because she seemed to have so many health problems.  What a loss for her family, and those she nurtured, and of course for us as well.

    May you rest in peace, Mary G.

  101. 101.

    MomSense

    I think she posted a photo of her protesting. Was it the women’s March? She had a great smile.

  102. 102.

    something fabulous

    Oh no! I’ve been away from the comments for a bit with life stuff– I had missed she was so unwell recently. So very sad! She was a wonderful irreplaceable member of this community. I haven’t read the comments here yet, but wanted to be sure to add the amazing time years ago she rescued a fellow commenter having a hard time in real time here in the comments, and had him come stay with her for a time til he was settled. How open and courageous she was. Met her just once, down a very long and noisy table at a meet up years ago in Burbank. MaryG you will be so very missed. Thank you for all your kindness to us all.

  104. 104.

    Ann Marie

    I’m so sorry to hear this.  There are so many awful people in the world, why do we keep losing the lovely ones?

  105. 105.

    opiejeanne

    This has probably been mentioned already, but has anyone gotten in touch with HBM? Do we know how to reach him?

  106. 106.

    TaMara

    @Yarrow: That photo should be added to the post, but I’ll put it here for now.

    @WaterGirl: I agree with those so say to pin it to the top, and see if John’s okay with adding this photo of her to his post.

  107. 107.

    Suzanne

    Oh my God. This is terrible. I will miss her very much.

    Thank you to Satby and John for letting us know.

    I hope her family knows she was cared about by this little ragtag corner of the internet.

  110. 110.

    Wanderer

    RIP Mary G. Your love of others and zest for life is a large loss. May your body be at peace and your soul or divine spirit soar with freedom and joy. I will miss your vitality.

  114. 114.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @satby:

    Can you imagine? A few who will greet Mary G (and I know I’m forgetting too many others):

    General Stuck

    EFGoldman

    green not Green

    Schlemazel

    Alain

    Tunch and Walter and so many other beloved four-legs

  117. 117.

    something fabulous

    @WaterGirl: There it is! Such a– I have no words for it, “amazing” doesn’t really do it– thing to do, for another soul, and spoken of so casually, like, of course and who wouldn’t? But only MaryG. So much love.

  120. 120.

    Amir Khalid

    Mary G was one of the best and kindest jackals ever, and I grieve for her along with the rest of the community.

  121. 121.

    Sure Lurkalot

    Oh this is terrible news. I always felt lucky to be on a thread with Mary G. Like others, I had noticed her absence lately and didn’t want to think the worst but that she would resurface, Amir style.

    Her rescue of HBM (both he and the event predate me here) is a wonderful thing to learn about her. Thanks to WG and everyone else for recovering some of her moments here and in the world. I wish I had more time to know her better as many of you did…my sympathies to this whole community.

  122. 122.

    Elizabelle

    Godspeed to Mary G.  Sad news.  Her younger housemates will never forget her.  Her kindness, her resilience, her concern for them.  Also Higgs Bosun’s Mate.

  123. 123.

    Yarrow

    @TaMara:
    @WaterGirl:
    That photo is from a Balloon Juice “On the Road” post. It’s been up on Balloon Juice for years. Is permission needed from the other people to re-post a photo that’s been available and posted on Balloon Juice for years?

  126. 126.

    Villago Delenda Est

    Sad news, indeed.  She lives on in her posts and our memories, though.  A small comfort.  But a comfort.

  127. 127.

    Yarrow

    @WaterGirl:  If the post is pinned it would be helpful to edit it to indicate that so people who visit the front page realize new posts might be below it.

  128. 128.

    Eunicecycle

    This is terrible news. I knew she was in a wheelchair from things she said, but it seemed to not slow her down at all. I remember the falling in the bath story and how remarkable it was that John and Co. made such an effort to find her. A light has gone out in this world.

  129. 129.

    Spanky

    Shit.

    She was always ready to give of herself for anything that came along. She wasn’t a wealthy person, but oh so very rich in what matters.

  130. 130.

    Madeleine

    So shocked and sad at Mary G’s passing. Thanks to John and satby for telling us and to all who have found the links.

  131. 131.

    Tazj

    Much, much too young. RIP Mary G. I enjoyed reading your comments and you did many good things for others in your life.

  132. 132.

    HRA

    I often found myself waiting for her to come on in a discussion here. That of course made me wonder why she was more lately absent. The reason for her being ill is something I got to know about personally when my daughter had juvenile RA.

    May Mary have eternal rest and peace.

  135. 135.

    cain

    Apparently, Eric Boehlert has died from a biking accident. RIP. I enjoyed all his posts especially against the media. We lost a great ally on our side.

  137. 137.

    banditqueen

    Rest in power Mary G, and comfort those who knew her best; what a life she lived–it will be a blessing to all who knew her.

  139. 139.

    cain

    @Elizabelle: progressive twitter is heartbroken. :/ We probably should have another post just for him so not to distract from the post about Mary G.

  140. 140.

    Elizabelle

    @cain:   Boehlert was one of the best and most honest journalists out there.  He is an irreplaceable voice.   The opposite of a Villager.

  141. 141.

    Steeplejack

    @cain:

    Yikes! This is a black day. First Mary G, now Boehlert. He has been a strong voice against the evil and the crazy.

  142. 142.

    H.E.Wolf

    Everyone has already said what I’m thinking, much more eloquently than I could. May she rest in peace and power.

  143. 143.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    Oh no! I haven’t been reading BJ as much lately, so I’m a bit out of the loop, so this is such a gut punch. Mary G was always a very kind, sweet, and helpful person in our interactions in the comments here. Always incredibly positive too. I regret I never got to meet her in person. RIP Mary G

  144. 144.

    Sure Lurkalot

    @cain: I just read this about Eric Boehlert. I read his Twitter feed every day. He added so much to the discourse about our failed media.

  147. 147.

    Mai Naem mobile

    Eric Boehlert too??? Today happens to be the anniversary of my dad’s death. Shitty shitty day all around.

  148. 148.

    PaulB

    I’m mostly a lurker here, so had missed the HBM and Mary G. story. It’s just stunning to me to hear about someone so ready to reach out to someone else in need like that. And equally stunning that he was receptive to her offer of sanctuary. That story and its outcome is damn near miraculous.

    I’m always ready to “talk the talk” but I have to confess that I’m not sure that I would have been brave enough, empathetic enough, selfless enough to do what she did. “Any man’s death diminishes me,” as John Donne noted, but this death does so more than most.

  149. 149.

    Matt Smith

    Condolences to all who knew and loved her. I wish I’d known her better. I love the bathroom story and how she took in HBM on the spur of the moment. She sounds like my kinda people.

  150. 150.

    Tenar Arha

    My first thought besides shock was nope, nope, nope.

    I know for sure that Mary G’s memory will be a blessing. I’ll miss her here. 

  153. 153.

    mrmoshpotato

    I hope she’s resting in peace, and that her housemates, family, and others are taking time for themselves.

  154. 154.

    Mel

    She was such a genuinely good, kind, and truly caring person, with more inner strength and resilience than anyone should ever have to use in their lifetime.

    Her humor and her unflagging graciousness to others in face of the constant trauma of her serious illness speak to who she was.

  155. 155.

    James E Powell

    RIP Mary G & thank you for making this community & the world a better place.

  156. 156.

    Lyrebird

    @satby: Thank you for what you did to keep up that connection.

    Rest in glorious comfort, Mary G!

    This day!

    Eric Boehlert, Mary G, my heart hurts and the world is poorer.

    Plus the ongoing needless deaths due to war…

  157. 157.

    Elizabelle

    Could we have an open thread?  I am so sad about Eric Boehlert.  That is an incredible loss.

  158. 158.

    Steeplejack

    If anyone wants a distraction from the woes of the day, Chelsea vs. Real Madrid in Champions League soccer is on CBS (broadcast) right now (3:00-5:00 EDT).

  159. 159.

    Yutsano

    No.

    No no no.

    A beautiful light has entered her next existence. May it be free of the pain of this world.

    Mary G, you made a difference to so many of us. Your unique light will continue to radiate with us even though your lamp has gone out.

  162. 162.

    Elizabelle

    @SiubhanDuinne:   Stunned. And it seemed that Eric Boehlert’s journalism might gain a lot more traction, now that the Russia-aligned disinformation ties are more widely known.

    Tragic.  It felt like his career was gathering steam.

  163. 163.

    Asparagus Aspersions

    What dreadful news. Mary G’s comments always brightened up the comment thread. She seemed like such a lovely person. My condolences to those close to her. May her memory be a blessing.

  164. 164.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    Rest in peace, Mary G, you will be missed by all who have known and love you. I too have RA all I can say about it is FUCK RA (and FUCK CANCER!).

    When I go, I promise that I will come back and haunt anyone who says “At least he’s not suffering anymore.”

  167. 167.

    artem1s

    So sorry to hear but so wonderful to read all these remembrances. A couple of zip codes away – she made it sound easy-peasy. My, what courage and determination!

  168. 168.

    TinRoofRusted

    Damn I really enjoyed her comments and wondered how she was doing. This is very  sad news. Funny thing but, after reading the 911 story I always remember to keep my phone with me in the bathroom.  Safety first as they say.

    Edit to clean up a double sentence and to say Damn about Eric Boehlert.

  169. 169.

    Ruckus

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    You and I both know that life isn’t fair. It isn’t equal and it isn’t always fun. It has a tough beginning and the ending is equal if not for the same reason. But it is what we have.

     

    Mary made the best of the life she had, was a great person and like many went way too soon. We have lots of stories about what comes next, to make us feel better about knowing that story changes completely one day. A day that we don’t normally get to choose the ending, but sometimes we do anyway. The great thing about life is that we don’t know what tomorrow brings, be it sunshine or darkness. The bad thing is that we know that there will come that one day. So if we are smart, we live well, we exist trying to have our best life, be as good as we can, some take risks because it gives us some idea of what’s next, because it sharpens the sunshine the next day. But everyone, every living thing comes upon that one day. Some far, far too early, but every living entity gets to that one day. We fear it, we despise it, we cry for others having that day. We live hoping we never see it, that day. But we always do. The good always see it too soon, the horrible never soon enough. But everyone does.

  170. 170.

    Noskilz

    Sorry to hear that – hopefully things will go as well as they can for her friends and family at such an awful time.

  171. 171.

    Raoul Paste

    From the Mary G posts that I read, she seems like a gentle soul.   We could use more of those

  172. 172.

    Rileys Enabler

    Well fuck. A horrible note in a dreadful week and I want to RAIL at the unfairness of it all. I will miss her kindness and pragmatism; her strength and gentle wit. I remember the entire HBM saga; it spoke to exactly who she was and what mattered.

    dammit, Mary G. Sending white light to you and your loved ones. You are dearly missed.

  173. 173.

    Martin

    Woke up this morning to learn a former colleague had died. Wasn’t really prepared to process this as well. Mary was (to my knowledge) my closest jackal neighbor and I was like everyone else quite fond of her.

    I never know what to say. I’m more of a sit quietly and hold your hand for as long as you need kind of person. I offer to make tea quite a lot if only to stay busy. Consider me making y’all tea and quietly holding your hand.

  177. 177.

    MagdaInBlack

    Well, not the news I wished to come home to. I had been wondering about her. I am so very sorry.

  178. 178.

    JWR

    @Baud:

    She was one of the good ones.

    Amen to that! But damn, it’s always the good ones. I interacted with her a few times, but my real joy was just following along and enjoying her interactions with others.

    She will be sorely missed. :(

  179. 179.

    NotMax

    Crikey. Shall raise a toast to her memory at a more appropriate slice of the day.

  184. 184.

    sab

    I am not from her geographic area so never had any hope of meeting her in person, but what a lovely person on line always, even when she had issues. Not issues with us (she was too polite), just issues with life and her health.

    We only have one life to live, and some of us have the good fortune to have the temperament to live our best life with where  circumstances have planted us .

  186. 186.

    One of the Many Jens

    Damn. My condolences and best wishes to the many who loved Mary G.  I vividly remember her gathering in HBM (and have often thought of it as an example of what to do and how to be), but entirely missed her bathroom episode!  Her memory is a blessing.  Rest well, Mary G.

     

    And rest in peace, Eric B, gone far, far too soon.  Between the two of them, that’s a lot of kindness, pragmatism, determination, and strength, gone from the world this day.

  187. 187.

    StringOnAStick

    Such sad news.  I so admire her generosity of spirit that led her to rescue HBM; I recall reading in real time as HBM said he was hitting the end, and she immediately jumped into action.  I think that story alone is why I’ve stayed here all these years.  A remarkable, kind person and gone too soon.

  188. 188.

    SFBayAreaGal

    My condolences to the family and friends on the loss of the beloved Mary G.

  191. 191.

    tokyocali (formerly tokyo expat)

    I am so sorry to hear this. I enjoyed reading Mary G’s comments and admired the courage she showed in her convictions and in her daily life. May her light continue to travel far and wide.

  192. 192.

    J R in WV

    I am slightly crushed by this news. Mary G was such a gentle soul, working hard to help others find their way in a confusing world. I knew she had addressed Higg’s Bosun’s Mate in his dreary PTSD sadness by going to him and bringing him home, which was a masterful accomplishment. Saved his life, gave us all more Higg’s Bosun’s Mate for years…

    I was a Bosun’s Mate for most of my hitch in the USN, 1970-73… If Higg’s Bosun’s Mate was actually in the Brown River Navy, no wonder he had PTSD —  that was terrible duty!! Senator Kerry captained one of those Riverine patrol boats, and got a shitload of medals for his work. I was on a Sub Tender stationed in Key West, Fla. No comparison. I did manage to acquire my own PTSD, which I don’t need to discuss here and now…

    It’s raining hard here now, when we came home from today’s Dr appointments, the tiny pond by the front door had something like 300 tadpoles floating on the surface… spring is bursting out here right now. Photos to follow.

    Mary G was a beacon of good humanity, generous, caring, reaching out to save people like HIgg’s Bosun’s Mate. We will miss her always. So sweet~!!~ RIP…

    Love most all you Jackals — take care, everyone! Things are still crazy dangerous out there.

  198. 198.

    HalfAssedHomesteader

    So sorry to hear of Mary G’s passing. I liked reading her comments because it was clear there was a kind person attached to them. Sorry for this community; sorry for her friends and family.

    And we lost Eric Boehlert today. And two people I know lost love ones today. What horrible horrible day this has been.  Tomorrow has to be better.

  199. 199.

    Juju

    I’m so sad to learn of Mary G’s passing. She was kind, thoughtful, empathetic and generous and everything you’d want in a friend and fellow human being. I will miss her.

  200. 200.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    Due to adding full time work at the Home of the Orange Apron in addition to my photography, I’ve become more of a lurker here at Balloon Juice and didn’t see the sad news of MaryG’s passing until my dinner break was almost over.  I’ve only missed one local Balloon Juice meetup and that was the one MaryG and HBM attended in Burbank.  RIP, MaryG.

  201. 201.

    Phylllis

    I missed this due to to prepping for my own outpatient procedure yesterday. She was so funny and delightful. I too thought she was on the mend. My condolences to her loved ones.

  203. 203.

    Jane2

    Oh this is sad news. Mary G was one of a kind – generous, thoughtful, funny, and interesting.

  206. 206.

    Ruckus

    @J R in WV:

    At that meet up in the pictures he told me he joined the navy and 4 months later he was a forward machine gunner on a river patrol boat. I can’t imagine anyone living through that without getting PTSD. I met a lot of fellas in the Long Beach Navy hospital – long gone now, who were in worse shape than Higgs. I use the VA and get my care at a VA hospital. I see a lot of the after effects. War does more than just maim and kill. Far more.

  207. 207.

    Sister Machine Gun of Quiet Harmony

    I had been out of town when this news came through. I saw it today. She was a delight and absolutely will be missed.

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