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Mari
Sometimes, there are people who come into our lives who are so memorable and admirable that they stay with us even though they have passed on. My Amelia Island best friend Mari was such a person. She had throat cancer. Unfortunately, the cure almost killed her. Multiple amounts of chemo and radiation left her throat tissues so fragile that the attempt to construct an esophagus from muscle tissue in her back failed. Her vocal cords were damaged, leaving her with a voice box that only worked half the time. The solution was a small dry-erase board she carried with her to help her communicate. A hole in her abdomen provided liquid food entry through a tube. The stoma in her throat gave her a way to breathe. It was always covered with a beautiful, delicate scarf made from an exotic textile or lace.
Prior to these serious health issues, she was an artist, painter and teacher. Her subject matter revealed a love of nature and joy of living. She was a color master. Her oils depicted exotic flowers, trees, tables full of food, wine glasses and complex textile fabrics. Several art galleries in Fernandina Beach showed her work.
There was no hint of self pity in Mari. I was dealing with the difficulties of being a caretaker for my husband and always looked forward to lunch with Mari. As soon as I saw her smiling face I knew things would be OK. I have never met anyone so kind, grounded, joyful and brave. She exuded these attributes.
She passed them on. After her death in 2021, some of her friends, including me, got together to share Mari stories. Individually, we spoke up, declaring, “She was my best friend!” We soon discovered that she was best friend to each of us! Now WE are best friends who meet every year to celebrate Mari’s life with a dinner we create in her honor. We go to the Egans Creek Greenway bench in her honor to bring flowers and remember her. We admire her paintings and tell Mari stories, keeping this extraordinary woman alive. She continues to inspire us all as we go through life’s difficulties. We see the kind, smiling face of our best friend and know on a deep level that things will be alright. And we will pass it on.
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Virginia Daughtrey has lived in Fernandina Beach for 19 years — both on land and on sea.
Others in the community are invited to share their stories of kindness and compassion. If you have a story you'd like to share here in the Fernandina Observer - about a neighbor or friend or business that showed you kindness - please contact Peggie Weeks at pegweeks@gmail.com
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Bob121
Beautiful way to honor your friend.
Monday, December 1, 2025 Report this
cfasano
So beautifully written and true, Ginny.
Monday, December 1, 2025 Report this
Kbakerkbaker
I did not know who she was when I met her several times on the greenway walking our dogs. Although she talked through her voice box, she didn’t seem to let that define who she was. She was pleasant, upbeat and I felt happier after our few minute encounters. I do believe now that the bench near the bridge (sometimes with flowers on it) that reads “if I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk forever in my garden”. I always thought it was a lovely thought and wondered about the women that inspired that. Thank you for writing this and tying the two together.
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Report this