- Born on: June 30, 1935
- Departed on: September 10, 2009
Mary Margaret Hanke
“I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then, someone at my side says; "There, she is gone!" "Gone where?" Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!" There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout; "Here she comes!" And that is dying.” -Henry Van Dyke
Mom, even though I told you I loved you every time we spoke, it will never have been enough. You were, and always will be, THE mom. I can't even begin to say how enormously you are missed already, or how wide and deep the heartache I feel. I love you forever, Mom.
I am happy that I had the opportunity to meet Mary when she and Bill came to Houston years ago. I have fond memories of her and Bill during their visit here. She was such a warm and welcoming person. On behalf of Mary's Houston "Furman" family, I would like to express our condolences.
Wow, you guys have been through a lot in the last two years. What a difficult time for you. I am so glad that I got to visit with your Dad and Mom. They were two special people. Good memories of the first 5 of you living on Elm St. I'll remember Mary's beautiful smile. Hold on to your special memories. I know you will miss your Mom. With heartfelt sympathy, Marsha Pressler
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. May God provide you with strength, peace and comfort in the days and weeks ahead.
Just found this guestbook, and now I sit here wondering what to say to express my feelings. Our sincerest empathy to the nine of you - and your spouses and the grandchildren- no matter the age, when your mom leaves you, it hurts; we know. The good news is she is at peace now, and her attitude towards death was an example for all of us. I think of one of Bill's Irish sayings, "Tis glad I am and glad I be, knowin' I knew the likes o' thee." God Bless you Mary; we love you. Gary & Jo
I loved my Grandma so much!! I am so happy that I was able to see her just a couple months before she passed. I have so many great memories of spending alot of time during my childhood at her and Grandpa's home in Denison. I love you Grandma. See you both again someday. Love, Adam
Mom, even though I told you I loved you every time we spoke, it will never have been enough. You were, and always will be, THE mom. I can't even begin to say how enormously you are missed already, or how wide and deep the heartache I feel. I love you forever, Mom.
Grandma- I cannot put into words what you mean to me. You taught me so many things that I am grateful for. You are only physically gone from this family, but you will forever remain in our hearts, minds, and memories. Love, Camille
Just found this guestbook, and now I sit here wondering what to say to express my feelings. Our sincerest empathy to the nine of you - and your spouses and the grandchildren- no matter the age, when your mom leaves you, it hurts; we know. The good news is she is at peace now, and her attitude towards death was an example for all of us. I think of one of Bill's Irish sayings, "Tis glad I am and glad I be, knowin' I knew the likes o' thee." God Bless you Mary; we love you. Gary & Jo
mom,gramma,sister,aunt,niece,daughter,doctor,NURSE,animal lover,nurturer of animals,tacos,woodswoman,plants and flowers,victorian house,motorcycle lady,coffee,humor,cook,wife,childrens rights,smokey mountains,michigan,a 2 mile long driveway,friend,and on and on this list could go
When Mary & Bill moved to Water St., they took away our "haunted house"- it was in disrepair and to the neighborhood kids, it was a scary place, fun to make up stories about it. Mary made it into a loving family home. Mary was like a magnet to us and we loved to visit her and her new babies. Bill was tall (at least to a kid!) and handsome with a lock of dark hair curling on his forehead. I'm so sad to know she has passed, but now she and Bill are together again. My deepest sympathy to her family. I know you'll miss her, but I think she'll live in your hearts forever.
Christine, I wanted you to know that I have been thinking about you a lot the last few days...and even more so today.. God bless you and your family.
Wow, you guys have been through a lot in the last two years. What a difficult time for you. I am so glad that I got to visit with your Dad and Mom. They were two special people. Good memories of the first 5 of you living on Elm St. I'll remember Mary's beautiful smile. Hold on to your special memories. I know you will miss your Mom. With heartfelt sympathy, Marsha Pressler
“I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then, someone at my side says; "There, she is gone!" "Gone where?" Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!" There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout; "Here she comes!" And that is dying.” -Henry Van Dyke
Christine, I wanted you to know that I have been thinking about you a lot the last few days...and even more so today.. God bless you and your family.
Dear Chris and family, I'm so sorry to hear you lost your Mom. I feel deeply for you all and hope you can find peace in all the great memories you have of her. Wish I was in W. C. to meet up with you to chat. Fran
I am happy that I had the opportunity to meet Mary when she and Bill came to Houston years ago. I have fond memories of her and Bill during their visit here. She was such a warm and welcoming person. On behalf of Mary's Houston "Furman" family, I would like to express our condolences.
Mom, you were the strongest person I have or will ever know. I am happy for you that you are now at peace and in Heaven. Now, I must be strong like you, as I mourn your loss. Love, Linda
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. May God provide you with strength, peace and comfort in the days and weeks ahead.
When Mary & Bill moved to Water St., they took away our "haunted house"- it was in disrepair and to the neighborhood kids, it was a scary place, fun to make up stories about it. Mary made it into a loving family home. Mary was like a magnet to us and we loved to visit her and her new babies. Bill was tall (at least to a kid!) and handsome with a lock of dark hair curling on his forehead. I'm so sad to know she has passed, but now she and Bill are together again. My deepest sympathy to her family. I know you'll miss her, but I think she'll live in your hearts forever.
mom,gramma,sister,aunt,niece,daughter,doctor,NURSE,animal lover,nurturer of animals,tacos,woodswoman,plants and flowers,victorian house,motorcycle lady,coffee,humor,cook,wife,childrens rights,smokey mountains,michigan,a 2 mile long driveway,friend,and on and on this list could go
My condolences go out to all the family in this time of loss. God Bless, John
I loved my Grandma so much!! I am so happy that I was able to see her just a couple months before she passed. I have so many great memories of spending alot of time during my childhood at her and Grandpa's home in Denison. I love you Grandma. See you both again someday. Love, Adam
My condolences go out to all the family in this time of loss. God Bless, John
Dear Chris and family, I'm so sorry to hear you lost your Mom. I feel deeply for you all and hope you can find peace in all the great memories you have of her. Wish I was in W. C. to meet up with you to chat. Fran
Grandma- I cannot put into words what you mean to me. You taught me so many things that I am grateful for. You are only physically gone from this family, but you will forever remain in our hearts, minds, and memories. Love, Camille
Mom, you were the strongest person I have or will ever know. I am happy for you that you are now at peace and in Heaven. Now, I must be strong like you, as I mourn your loss. Love, Linda
