On May 30, 2009, The Tennessee. Alabama and Georgia Motor Maids will incorporate their Spring ride with a tribute ride for Mary Abraham. They begin at Rainbow Center on May 29th, arriving in Leeds, Alabama at Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum on May 30th and finishing on May 31st at Cave Springs, Georgia. We have been notified that the Motor Maids of Tennessee and Alabama have donated a book about Greyhound Rescue to the West Seneca Library in Mary's memory. Red arm bands will be worn (Mary's favorite color) in lieu of black to celebrate Mary's passion and joy of riding. At Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, Mary's significant other, my sister, Mary Ellen Madden and myself will be at the museum to welcome the droves of riders. We will be bringing a collage of pictures and a "Mary Memory" book for all to sign. Mary Ellen has been asked to speak at the luncheon. This will be an exciting event to meet these gals, some who met Mary and others who will be honoring a fellow Motor Maid. The tribute ride was Mary Ellen's idea. We hope that more rides will continue in Mary's memory. The museum's site is Barbermuseum.org.

I first met Mary when I lived in Hannibal, New York, and my sister Mary Ellen brought Mary over to the house. We hit it off right away when she and I talked about my two passions, cooking and dogs. As I got to know her, I saw within her the fire and determination in what ever she tackled. I saw a lot of her, in me, when I worked a career that took you all over and the stress you were under but just kept going because that's what you do. When Mary and my sister called me from Buffalo and spoke about house renovations, going on trips and things in general, I always felt so good to know that they were happy, they were living a good life, making plans. When I still lived in New York, Mary and Mary Ellen came over to show me their custom rings that were made. I was so happy for them, they were so much in love. Mary flew all over the US for her job. She flew in Birmingham last year and drove up to Huntsville for work and stay with Mom and I. We went out to eat, talked away between Mary's getting up at 5:30am and working every day. On Thanksgiving Mary and Mary Ellen flew in and stayed with my sister Debbie and her family. What a great time we had. Mary and Mary Ellen also came over to my house with Mary asking me where my list of "to do things" were and she started in. Took down a broken cabinet and replaced a new one in Mom's bathroom, fixed a leak in my bathroom shower (she said she remembered it from staying with us), moved my guest bedroom furniture around and was like a nonstop tornado of fixing this and that. Mary was a doer, get'er done gal. When my sister told me that she was buying a motorcycle, I was at first a little apprehensive, but Mary assured me that she would have Mary Ellen take a course, watch over her and be with her every step of the way and so I knew at that point, Mary Ellen would be safe. Isn't that what you do in a relationship? Keep each other safe? On New Years, Mary Ellen called Mom and I and said they both were just staying in, having a comfortable New Years together. When Mary's birthday came, Mom and I each sent her a card. I remember Mom and I at Hallmark, taking a long time to select the perfect card for our wonderful Mary. I have met a lot of people in my life and I can say that Mary Abraham left me as a better person. Thank you Mary and I know you are still with us, looking over us and I promise I will also keep Mary Ellen "safe" as you would. I love you as a sister. Thank you for being in our lives.
Carol