From Janis Jessen '66

Sadly, Mary Sue Hammelev SJHS class of 1966 passed away 2-9-20. Mary had retired recently to Ensenada, Mexico. Mary was a UW Madison grad & lived in Madison for many years. She ran her own leather goods shop, Mary’s Leatherie ( having honed her leather goods skills at Cecil’s Sandal Shop in Madison.) She moved to CA, met her soulmate Raymond Adams & moved to his home state of Washington & lived in Lakebay until retirement. She continued her skills as “CEO” of Mary’s Leathers & traveled many WA state miles to motorcycle rallies. She set up “camp” with her ancient sewing machine & sewed thousands of patches on cyclist’s leather goods. If you were blessed to know her, you also know she made tons of dear friends. Kenosha, Madison, California, Lakebay & Ensenada are all mourning our uber creative hippie sister taken way too soon. Since second grade, she was the closest thing to a real sister I had. We did drift apart, but always in touch on BD’s ( she was the first NY’s day baby born in Kenosha in 1966!) & holidays. If I lost track of her, I panicked til she was found ( thanks Kip.) She did not “do weddings,” but surprised me in 1987 by coming to our reception in KTown. I do have the pix to prove it. Sadly, I knew nothing about her bone cancer diagnosis. But, that was so very Mary. Never wanting her friend’s sympathy, but wanting us to see her loving the warm sunny beachy life that fit her so well. Mary took HS Spanish, so every card & letter began “Hola Maria.” So, time to say “Adios Maria. Va cen Dios.”