Mary,

It’s been a pleasure watching the transformation of Sarah’s guest house over the past 30+ years. I still remember painting in the original guest house when I was trying to earn hours for my confirmation. Later I loved hearing the stories of my grandmother, Chris and the time she spent volunteering. You’ve brought so much calm and peace to people during one of the most stressful of situations for any family and Syracuse has been lucky to have you. I wish you great luck in your future with your family. May the sun shine with you always.

Best wishes - Michele Smith Gabron

Mary you are an awesome inspiration to the greater Syracuse area and to the far reaches of New York State and beyond. You have touched more lives than the number of hairs on your head. Your legacy will continue for generations to come. Meeting you has helped heal my heart. Staying at guest I made numerous friends for life. The staff are generous and understanding giving caring advise and listening to our worries. The house is a family that adaptes us into there family. Hopefully you will continue to visit the house often. You are the mother of the family that works for all of with loved ones at there lowest point of their lives. You have made a refuge for our broken hearts.

It is impossible to know where to begin to start a reflection on one of my dearest old friends whom I have known since 1967 and with whom I and my family and her family have seen many blessings together. However, in terms of Sarah’s Guest House, a.k.a. Sarah House as Mary originally named it, I remember well the beginnings and being part of the first training of volunteers with my wife, Geri Hall, in 1993 or four. Later I served a number of years on the board with Mary when we made the transition from the little house to now the current building which has been so beautifully and wonderfully expanded through David and Renee‘s leadership. To say that Mary has been a heart and soul of the place – along with her great husband and sidekick, Dick, who was a Mr. fix it and Mr. on the spot with everything – is to say far too little. Nevertheless, as Renee wrote so lovingly, Mary had a vision, but more than that she put in the long hours and the hard work and that grit and grind of making this hospitality – which has been her middle name – a reality for others in great need. Her blessings continue to abound through Sarah’s Guest House, and that all of us who know her. Thank you, thank you, Mary, and I hope you were able to visit often! With great appreciation, gratitude, and love. Dave

Mary, thank you for your compassion, leadership, and the care you’ve shown to so many families through Sarah’s Guest House. Your impact will be felt for years to come, and you will be deeply missed. Wishing you all the best in this next chapter in Albany.