Mary Drumm
Alton |
Mary Madalene Drumm, 92, passed away at 5:37 a.m. Saturday, February 10, 2018, at Robings Manor in Brighton.
Born August 15, 1925, in Rosiclare, she was the only child of Harry and Pearl (Vinyard) Drumm.
Mary enjoyed farm life and grew up living close to her grandparents and all of her cousins. She especially liked visiting her grandparents farm and playing with the animals. It would be the beginning of her love for animals which she carried throughout her life.
Mary had many pets over the years. She treated them like family and celebrated their birthdays with a cake. She displayed professional photographs of Niki, Shou Shou, Prince, and Stormy; she carried their photos in her wallet and was always proud to show off her dogs. If Mary sent out a birthday card or Christmas card, it had a dog or a puppy on it. At one time, she even had a horse. She often rode through the fields of Bethalto, Illinois, with her friend Pat. The horses were eventually sold as they were expensive to maintain.
Mary graduated from Hardin County High School in 1943. She then moved to Chicago to further her education. She worked for Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago until the death of her father when she returned to the Alton area. She began her long career at Wood River Township Hospital as the head of the x-ray department. After 38 years, Mary retired in 1986.
Mary double-checked every x-ray of countless broken bones and pointed out fractures that others had missed. She loved working at Wood River Hospital and all of the wonderful people who worked alongside her.
When her mother became ill, Mary looked after her until her passing. After having lived in the house next door to her mother for many years, she sold it and moved into her family home on Omega Street. Mary tended to the property with great care, just as her parents had, keeping the house, cars, and even the blacktop driveway immaculate. She spoke fondly of her neighbors on Omega Street.
It was a neighbor who noticed that Mary's window shade had not been pulled up one morning, which was part of Mary's daily routine; she discovered that Mary needed medical help. Mary eventually moved to assisted living and ultimately to Robings Manor Nursing Home in Brighton.
Over the years, Mary purchased several new cars, traveled out west and to the Hawaiian Islands in 1979 with her friend Pat Callahan. She enjoyed fish frys at her Aunt Wilma’s each August, an occasional White Castle slider, and Chinese food.
The most amazing thing about Mary was her mind. Her memory was incredible. She would often remind her caregivers of the time they had administered medicine or checked her last. Her visitors soon learned that she remembered more details about their last visit than they did.
Mary was appreciative of the help she was given by staff in assisted living and at Robings Manor, those who shopped for her, mowed her grass, brought food and fish sandwiches, or just stopped by for a visit. She is survived by many cousins and good friend Dorthea McMillan.
Mary will be sadly missed by family and friends.
May she rest in eternal peace.
Committal services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey.
Rev. Stephen Gray will officiate. Gray Funeral Home of Wood River is in charges of arrangements. Condolences at www.grayfuneralhomeinc.com
Gray Funeral Home
