In loving memory of my mother, I wrote the following about her life, printed the words on pink linen paper stock, rolled the paper like a scroll and tied each one with a white silk ribbon to give to each attendee at her funeral in 1990.
Mary Lois (Creager) Washburn was one of the few examples of an endangered species known as loving wife, dedicated mother, and innovative homemaker. Intellect, creativity, and tenderness were the tools of her trade; and she willingly shared her gifts with family, friends, and so-called ‘strangers.’
Her birthplace was a tent on the banks of a river near Neely, Nebraska in August 1917. Mary was welcomed to the world by her father, Harry, her 17-year-old mother Sophie, and one-year-old baby brother Jake. Ten minutes after little Mary’s birth, twin sister Martha arrived, and the Creager clan increased to five members.
Mary grew and ‘waxed strong’ in spite of the poverty conditions of that era. After her mother’s riverside recovery from tuberculosis, Harry traded in the family tent for a house in town. The railroad claimed most of his time, but his mind was always seeking a better future for his offspring in particular and humanity in general.
One of the highlights of Mary’s youth in Concordia, Kansas, was the part she portrayed in a school play, Queen of the Roses. Not only was she talented, but popular, too. The house on Eighth Street was a favorite gathering place for most of the kids in town.
Little Mary blossomed into Lady Mary one summer evening. She knew the moment she saw Charles Washburn that he was the man of her dreams. Their first dance to the song Stardust became their love theme, and for fifty-two years, their marriage sparkled with the melody of love’s refrain.
Their new nest quickly filled with the laughter (and sometimes the tears) of three children. Charles went to work out of the home, and Mary went to work in the home. Wartime is not a good time to have babies, but somehow they managed to feed, shelter, dress, educate, and love their son and two daughters.
Mary baked more cookies, sewed more costumes, and earned (then gave away) more Scout merit badges than most women would care to count. She could transform a pound of hamburger into gourmet meals for the entire week, and still find time to hear and care about her hubby’s day.
Mary encouraged, empowered, and inspired those around her. Her faith, courage, sense of humor, and unselfishness were radiant beams of light in her home, her church, and in her community.
Perhaps on her way to Heaven she’s had time to stop off at the star in the constellation Orion, which was named “Mary and Charles Washburn” in their honor. We’ve heard there’s a stardust factory there, and she was always good with a dust mop.
So if you’re in love, or plan to be soon, just stand under the night sky, star number R45h39m415d to be exact, for your free sample of stardust. If you have trouble locating the star, just follow the path of rose petals leading up to its bright light.
I truly hope your childhood memories are filled with the love your mother had for you, rather than the way you wish she would have expressed that love to you. Sometimes they are not the same, but the first is always greater, even if not known.
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