Owned by Pugs

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Remembering Mary

Jenna, Mary and Luna

OBP wanted to share today's blog in honor of Mary Davis. Mary is the mom of longtime OBP extended family, Jenna Davis (Moulton). Jenna, is mom to Jade (a black pug) & Pink (a fawn that recently joined their family). Jenna had been reading the blog for a few years and her mom, Mary knew of the blog through Jenna. Mary learned of the calendars that OBP used to put together. Mary, a true animal lover, ordered a calendar for her daughter Jenna (who resides in New Hampshire). We noted that Mary's mailing address was very close to where we lived. We thought to ourselves, "what a small world". Well, time ticked on and through emails we came to know Jenna, her beau at the time, now husband, Corey, their black pug Jade and Jenna's mom, Mary. At the time, OBP had recently lost Solsey, our black pug. Jenna & her family bonded with the OBP family over the adventures that Sol had brought our way before her passing. And since they had a black pug, too, the black pug topics grew fast and furious. After corresponding for a bit, we worked out a time when we could meet Jenna, Corey and Jade as they would be visiting her mom down here in the South. On this visit, we got to meet Mary, too.

We met up at the dog beach (sadly, sans Solsey). Benjamin, Henry, Luna, Jade, OBP humans, Jenna, Corey, Mary and Jade were all getting to know one another. Dogs sniffing bottoms as they became friends, people asking questions, sharing stories, telling tales, laughing, joking and also, becoming fast friends. I remember Jenna referring to herself as our stalker which seemed completely riotous. OBP had a stalker? Ha! We were both flattered and questioning if we should really be concerned even though we knew that there could no way be a harmful pug stalker out there. wink

What struck me the most about the "stalker" and her family was that she knew so much about us. There wasn't a story we could tell that she hadn't already heard. She'd already read them all. It did seem like an odd phenomenon. You just meet someone and they are telling you the best moments to your own accounts. It was wacky (but in a good way). So, we tried to be even better listeners and learn about them since we had nothing new to share that they didn't know by now.

Anyway….what was also so cool was that while Jenna was the true pug lover, she brought with her, her mom and then boyfriend. I wasn't surprised that her sweetie would be there but I was a little surprised to see her bring her mom. Her mom, Mary, was such a hoot (I could see where Jenna got her warm wit, spunky way with words and generosity). Mary had a thick northern accent. The OBP humans are both northerners, too but when we talk about Mary being a northerner, she brought the accent to a whole new level. (You know, the whole, "pahk the cah in Scotland yahd" deal? Well that was Mary. And Corey, too but he was pretty quiet the first visit.) You could also tell that Mary was so pleased to be a "snow birder" as they are called down here. Spending the winters in Florida to dodge the wicked North East winter weather and then going back to New Hampshire for the summer once it is safe to trek back again. Mary was pleased as punch to be retired and embracing the best weather each state had to offer. It was so sweet to see Jenna and her mom be so close and loving to one another. There was no mother/daughter friction there. They had a super awesome mutual love and respect.

Mary was no old fogey. She was spry and silly and had a great presence without being overpowering. She was so friendly. She was a character but genuine. And what I remember most of our first visit with her was that her eyes were such a piercing blue. They were gorgeous. She was also a crafty person. She was handy in the quilting and yarn hooking categories and also good in the kitchen. She was always so thoughtful of our pugs. She baked them loaves of pumpkin bread. Knowing that Benny's vice was pumpkin bread, she'd whip up a loaf for him (and the others but Benny would commandeer the whole thing.) She was just so kind that way. She loved our pugs. And I know she loved her grandpugs! She was a special person.

So, we had awesome visits with Mary (and Jenna & clan) throughout a few years. About 2 years ago, though, we were doing some shopping with one of my old college friends who was visiting from Maryland and we saw Mary again at a small town art show. We stopped and chatted a bit. She was that happy, bubbly little lady that we'd remember from our visits. Little did we know that that would be the last time we would see Mary again.

Jenna and Corey remain our friends and we have seen them a few more times (and each time is better than the time before and we grow to love them more with each visit). Sadly, though their last few visits have been laced with health problems on Mary's end. Mary developed cancer and fought it once, but it came back and she tried to fight again but this time it was to no avail. Mary passed away recently. She was a terrific person. She was Jenna's mom, Jade & Pink's grandmom. We know our friend Jenna will miss her mom terribly. We also have an idea what it is like to watch a parent suffer (although fortunately, we still have our parents, we still have seen them battle serious sickness). We broaden this blog as a true tribute to Mary and share with Jenna, Corey, Jade, Pink and their extended family our most sincere condolences, love, respect and support in this most difficult time.

All good pug juju going out to them and their loved ones.

Jenna, Mary and Henry

(Post memorial comments: We also had the opportunity to meet Mary's husband Ian and her son Jeffrey. Both, of course were wonderful people and Jeffrey did a wonderful job with the eulogy. I am not surprised that the entire family is filled with terrific people as we know that Jenna did not fall far from the tree of kindness.)


Comment Page 1 of 1 pages

Such a lovely tribute to a true pug person and friend!  You were so lucky to “find” Mary and her family.

Drools and licks,
Minnie, Mack and Mario

Heather

05/08/2013

I’m so sorry for the loss of this beautiful soul. I will keep Jenna and her family in my prayers. Healing puggy love to you all. Rest in peace Mary, free from pain.

With love,
Heather, Baxter, and the Mr. Cole

Huckle

05/08/2013

What a beautiful, bittersweet story.  What a treasure to have had such friendships and to slow life down long enough to allow such possibilities.  A lesson to us all and a blessing for you.

Janice, 2 Pugs and a Boxer Mix

05/08/2013

What a wonderful blessing God bestowed on you for allowing this family to become a part of your family and bless Mary for leaving with you such wonderful memories.  God bless each of you.

Sleighbelle

05/08/2013

Thoughts and prayers go out to Mary’s family.  Isn’t it amazing the wonderful people we meet, often because of a common love (ahem, pugs).  But then, they become part of who we are, even more than we ever dreamed.
Enjoy your memories, they will help you over the hard times.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful woman with us.

sue

05/08/2013

a beautiful tribute thoughts and prayers for Jenna and her family

Sue VDB and Annie Fannie

05/08/2013

Jenna and family,  I am so very sorry over the loss of your beloved mom.  She sounds like one terrific lady who passed that on to her family.  May she rest in peace.

Corrine, you did an awesome job.  Your tribute is as beautiful as I’ve ever seen, and it definitely comes from your heart.  My condolences to you as well. And, thank you for sharing with us.

Allison Connolly

05/08/2013

BEAUTIFUL….. wonderful memories & couldn’t be anymore true! The Davis Family has always been a very loving & kind family inside & out!!  <3 & hugs to all

Gina

05/08/2013

Corrine, thank you for sharing this story with us. My heart goes out to Mary’s family. God Bless. I will be praying for all of you.

Hellen Norton

05/08/2013

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful person with us, Why I know she is in a wonderful place I do know how leaving those she loved behind I do know they will all meet up with her later.

I am now the oldest in my family. Still miss my Mom, Dad, and stepmother and step father.

God is with this family and our prayers are wit them!

Kathy

05/08/2013

The loss of a friend is so difficult. You have spoken so eloquently of her that I feel she was my friend also.  RIP to Mary.  Lots of Puggy kisses ‘n hugs to all.

Josie Nevers

05/08/2013

Thanks for sharing this!! Mary truly was an animal lover, an amazing mom, find and more. She will be missed terribly!

Steve Lindhurst

05/08/2013

I wish I had known OBP when my parents passed. Y’all are
just so kind.

Darcy Peary and Kelly Hogan

05/08/2013

Mary is smiling down today as this was written! She will be so badly missed by all her friends all over the world. We thank Jenna for sharing Mary with us all the time.

Al Huff

05/08/2013

What a great blog about Mary, She was my next door neighbor in South Paris. We became friends in and out of school and I lost touch with her when I joined the Navy.
At my 30th class reunion I got her email address from her friend Paula, we have never seen each other since school other than pictures we shared over the years but we emailed up until she could no longer send mail. I loved her newsy letters and “jokes” I am so so sorry to know that she has gone .  She had a great life and has a great family. I hope to get to N.H. for her memorial service. Again ,beautiful story you wrote

Al Huff

Pat

05/09/2013

Wonderful memories to cherish.  Our condolences to the family and friends of Mary.

Pat & Mr. Skittles

Jenna (davis) Moulton

05/09/2013

Hi Everyone,
Thanks so much for the best wishes.  Mary loved Henry, Benny and Luna!  We made them Easter baskets for the beach (see the ears above?) and it was love at first pat with the pugs!  And the OBP humans are just the best!  We are privileged to be able to call them ‘family’ now and to love and be loved!  We met through our common love of the dogs, but continue to be great friends!

Smooches to everyone’s pooches,
Jenna

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