Advertisement I remember with fondness meeting this dynamo of a lady at her home on Green Bay Street in March 2007. With quiet energy, she swept me into her world of sailing adventures. What a tragedy that this very young 77-year-old passed away Aug. 19 in her La Crosse home. What a triumph that she has left the world a better place — made a difference in the life of each person she met along the way by opening their eyes to life’s possibilities.
If you’re among those who met Mary and/or have read about her sailing days in “The Mighty Merry Too” (her book recently published and carried in local bookstores), it’s possible you have a story or two about how she changed your life, or have formed a comment about her legacy.
You have the opportunity to share treasured Mary McCollum remembrances at a celebration of life from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Michael and Carolyn White. Those wishing to join the celebration should e-mail Dr. White at Michael.white@gemair.com, or call (608) 785-4659. With your RSVP, you’ll receive directions to the White residence.
What made Mary so unusual? Son Michael eulogizes: “Mary McCollum chased a dream. At age 57, she set off from Seattle — solo — in a 25-foot sailboat with no specific destination, just a dream. She arrived in Maryland in 2001 having sailed around the world. Along the way, she met a Silicon Valley refugee who had also sailed the Pacific Ocean — by himself. In 1998, she ran off with a sailor and eventually married this man.”
In 2001, Mary and her husband, John, decided it was time to return to the land. In early 2006, she visited La Crosse and decided that she could handle the cold, drive in its snow. The couple soon moved here to be near her son.
I will always remember our visit, and how Mary summed up her water voyage: “I have had a wonderful life on the ocean experiencing freedom from the noise and hostility of the city. I have enjoyed noises of nature and prefer them to man-made machinery.”
She found a wonderful world — a wonderful life. Most fitting for a wonderful lady.
