A Full Life, Indeed

Mary Cormier passed on to glory recently in Bridgeport, Conn. Here is part of her obituary. It certainly shows a full life and one which went in all directions at once.

“A self-taught pianist and organist, Mary was a student of German lieder, was fluent in Hungarian, and in her prime was known for her tasteful elegance, remarkable beauty and skilful and stunning oil paintings.

“She was an ‘Original’ who, later in life became a diehard fan of Turner Classic Movies and dreamed of emulating Joan Crawford and Betty Davis.

“A one-time professional ‘torch singer’ who, as Mari Carter, toured and performed in New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia, Mary's varied employs included:

“Stints as a stenographer, real estate broker, practical nurse, astrologist, dental assistant, mixologist and especially restauranteur.

“She claimed to have dated Hollywood heart-throbs, fellow Bridgeporters, Robert Mitchum and Buster Crabbe.

“She would want to be remembered as that daring and darling little eighth grader who wrote a touching poem about Thomas Edison and which prompted, incredibly, a handwritten reply from the ‘Wizard of Menlo Park’ himself.”