Maryann Hartzell-Curran

from We to Me


All about Marie

By

This is a story about our good friend Marie who passed away recently. I prepared it for her funeral to read as a tribute to this very special friend in my life.

All about Marie

It is hard to imagine the world without Marie.  Not only was she in the world, she helped run it!  Always a responsible person, her life held opportunities for her excellent leadership, her allegiance to her country and devotion to family and friends.  I still awaken needing to pinch myself and believe that Marie has died.

My husband Jack and I would not consider ourselves longtime friends of Bob and Marie.  Rather our friendship started perhaps seven years ago through church activities, neighborhood gatherings, and then finally the Irish Social Club.  Though we saw each other infrequently, we became good friends. We felt warmth, love of fun and true kinship with them.  We all had been married before so we would share stories of our other lives. Weaving into these memories, were new ones that we made together. We laughed a lot enjoying the spontaneity we shared as couples. They both would say out of hearing range from each other, that they had too been blessed with love a second time.

Several events in these last few years remain forefront in my mind.  When her son Billy’s wife was terminally ill with cancer, Marie called her every night and prayed. Sharing Bob’s ninetieth birthday party was a treat for many of us with her accurate planning of details that made the occasion unforgettable. Sitting with them at the Irish parties allowed us to enjoy great food, the music they both had arranged and eating Marie’s Irish soda bread on St. Patrick’s Day. All were fun times! When Bob was in the Nursing Home, we shared her loneliness realizing that things were going to change drastically in their lives. I think she always had the hope that maybe he could come to just one more dance…

When Marie called asking us to bring the gifts down the aisle at Bob’s Mass, we accepted with loving hearts. We knew that he was in a beautiful place but missed him terribly. The tears clouded my eyes as we walked down the aisle passing by wonderful people we had met through Bob and Marie.  She gave a beautiful luncheon after the service; of course at the VFW! We told her that Bob would have loved it especially knowing she was again in charge—that was our Marie.

So now, we all are in charge.  I know she smiles down on all of us today.  She lived a great life, loved her children, loved her friends, and loved two husbands. She exuded love through her love of God—I know He will take care of all the details.  I guess it is up to us to miss her, but live our lives knowing we all will meet again.

God Bless you Marie!

Thank you to all my followers and greetings to my new ones. Many of you were introduced to my work after reading my first book, FROM WE TO ME…letters to my friend. This was published in the fall of 2013 and has enjoyed some success. Many of those who have read the book have written encouraging comments, saying it was helpful to those who are experiencing grief.

And now…. I’m introducing my second book, From Me to We. Lots of people have asked me why I wrote it, and it’s because I wanted to share my years after the first year, detailed in From We to Me, with readers. I always emphasize that my experiences are just that… mine… and hopefully they will open people’s eyes inviting them to have similar ones. I keep my sense of humor throughout the book but also emphasize how difficult a lot of days were without my husband. Written in three parts, Section One, is how I grew up,  after the death of my husband, Section Two, the beginning of my socializing again, Section Three… taking a chance, falling in love and marrying again.  The stories are candid and the information honest and straightforward.  I’m hoping the book will help lots of people.

I continue to write my Overcoming Grief Blog and have written many stories on my Facebook page. Reading your responses has touched me deeply and given me a nudge to keep on writing. I invite you to spend some time exploring the resources and ideas within my website:

– If you’re looking for a gift for someone who has recently lost their spouse, my first book From We to Me is an ideal way to offer comfort.

– Feeling down and need some inspiration? Read some of my short stories based on experiences with my grief groups as well as personal experience in the Overcoming Grief blog section.

– Did you know I lead grief groups? I am a professional who speaks from the heart. Whether you are looking to start a grief group series or you want her to speak at your next event, contact us. I can bring wisdom and humor to those who need it most.

– If you enjoy sharing tidbits about your childhood with your grandchildren, you may enjoy some of my memoirs posted in Letters to my Granddaughter. I know a lot of you will relate to these letters, and I invite you to write your own.

SO…Welcome to you all. Thank you for all of your support over the years as I made my transition FROM WE TO ME and then FROM ME TO WE.

Listen to Maryann on The Author’s Show Podcast

What people are saying about "From Me to We"

This is a journey of courage; one that we will all travel someday.

"I have known Mary for almost 25 years and have read many of her manuscripts. From We to Me is...

~ Dr. Lynn Deegan, Psy. D.

Maryann Hartzell-Curran
2019-05-01T11:46:04-04:00

~ Dr. Lynn Deegan, Psy. D.

"I have known Mary for almost 25 years and have read many of her manuscripts. From We to Me is by far the most beautiful of her works. She painstakingly shares her memories of the first 365 days of her life as a widow, including moving events most of us would be too embarrassed to reveal.  I recommend this to not only those who have lost a loved one, but to anyone who is afraid to feel.  This is a journey of courage; one that we will all travel someday.”

Thank you again for your beautiful gift.

“I’ve read 38 letters…I am taking my time and reading few each night enjoying each letter. I always find something...

~ Nanette

Maryann Hartzell-Curran
2019-05-01T11:46:35-04:00

~ Nanette

“I’ve read 38 letters…I am taking my time and reading few each night enjoying each letter. I always find something that I can relate to in losing my parents and even my cat, KitKat.  Yesterday was 11 months since Dad had died and I found myself getting out of bed last night and going into his room to talk to him. I love the story of JT and Kelly walking in your footprints…how wonderful. Thank you again for your beautiful gift.”

She is honest and that is what most of us need…

"What makes FROM WE TO ME different than other books on grief is the openness of the author and her...

~ Neal

Maryann Hartzell-Curran
2019-05-01T11:47:04-04:00

~ Neal

"What makes FROM WE TO ME different than other books on grief is the openness of the author and her honesty with her feelings. Not kid gloves but boxing gloves are a good way to illustrate how she treats the elements of her loss e.g. anger, fear and regret. She is honest and that is what most of us need when a loss inflicts pain on our “perfect” worlds. Thank you Maryann.”

Her words spoke to me, reassuring me…

“I loved Maryann’s first book for many reasons -- the main one that when I read it, my husband of...

~ Patricia B.

Maryann Hartzell-Curran
2019-05-01T11:48:26-04:00

~ Patricia B.

“I loved Maryann’s first book for many reasons -- the main one that when I read it, my husband of 55 years had just died. Her words spoke to me reassuring me that my feelings were a lot like hers and my day to day walk alone was comforted by God’s love. I can’t wait to read the new book because I have started dating and have lots of questions. I know she will cover that in her new book, FROM ME TO WE.”
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Maryann Hartzell-Curran