Writers Abroad Magazine Issue 3 September 2015 | Page 36

WRITERS ABROAD MAGAZINE

Sad Farewells
In June, we were saddened to learn of the deaths of two of our long-serving and
most committed members. Here, we remember Mary Davies and Jany Gräf.

Mary Davies

Let me tell you about my friend, Mary, whom I first met in 2007.
It was a routine workday for me and I was given a list of patients to call upon. I was
there to do an “Over 75 Health Assessment”.
I was ushered into the lounge and told my patient would be down in a minute. At one
side of the room was a narrow but very stylish, spiral staircase.
Moments later this very sprightly lady came bounding down the stairs, smiling widely
and introduced herself as Mary.
Sometime later we began to talk about writing and our friendship was born.
I saw Mary often over the last eight years. We would meet for lunch or she would drive
over here and spend time at my house. My daughters loved her. She remembered all
their names and what they were studying.
Last night one of my girls recounted how, when asked if she would like a cup of coffee,
Mary replied, “I would prefer a gin and tonic!” It was only 11 o’clock in the morning!
Whenever I went to her daughter Lynda’s house, where Mary had a “granny flat” we
would talk and laugh about all manner of things. She loved Writers Abroad and all

36 | S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 5