With permission from her brother, I am posting.

Apple has been bravely fighting cancer for a few years but we just heard that she is continuing to lose her strength and that it appears she will lose her battle soon. Hospice has been called.

Apple has shared so much of herself on PW, I thought her friends here would want to know. You can share well wishes here as I am sending this http to her brother.

Like no other that I know, Mary embraces life. Family first, artist, poet, pianist, organist, chef, friend. Loving music as she does, she shared getting her Estonia and has continued to post here since. Her favorite composer is Bach.

We met once, at a Piano Party in NYC when fellow member, Elena (part of Duo Scarbo) premiered at Carnegie Hall. PW folks partied all weekend! Mary talks like she writes, spirited, is always smiling, and has a twinkle in her eye.

Two years ago Mary, her husband and 3 children moved into a beautiful new home and there Mary started teaching. Below is a video that she made.

Let's celebrate her life!




We love you Apple!

For those of you who didn't know Apple, she has been a warm friendly funny member of our forums for over ten years.

We never met in person, but I always counted her as a friend, and always hoped to meet one day.
In spite of all she has had to deal with, she was always the first to offer someone else help.

Apple, you have more friends than you even know, and more people who love you than you can count.
May your next journey be a peaceful one, and may there be an Estonia piano there waiting for you to play.

I have never met Mary, but I've had the chance to a few personal exchanges with her here and I've got to say that she's one of the most positive persons... As Lilylady said, always smiling, always happy to help and to acknowledged others!

Let's celebrate her life as you say Lilylady!

What is the word for when at the same time you cry and are inspired; you want to celebrate the inner strength that dares to do, and does it well. Frank, I think you have said it best, for us.

A wonderful woman and a great inspiration for all of us on the Forums. You always knew you had written something worthwhile when Apple chimed in with a response. This is very sad news that she is entering hospice. Her presence here will be very sorely missed.

Those pictures are wonderful. I am so sad. We love you, apple.

i believe i met her at an estonia event at a chicago piano store. very sorry to hear, she has been a positive influence here.

So sad to hear the news. I've read Apple's posts for years and she has always contributed quality information and opinion. Much light to you on your new journey Apple.

Life can be so freakin' unfair and sad at times. Apple* has been such a positive force on the forum. I hope she knows how much she has done for all of us and how grateful we are that she shared of herself with us.

Here is one of the most enjoyable home recordings of all time:



Love you, Apple!

I am so sad. I never met her in person but exchanged a few PMs with her. She's been a warm, positive and encouraging presence here in the piano world. I her, love for music and caring for others are one and same thing. I never knew she had her own health problems since she seems to be always caring for others - Students with disabilities etc. Apple, I love you.

She has always been one of my favorite people here. I have never met her, which is my loss. I have had some private correspondence with her and she was always warm, cheerful, and generous. The world needs more people like her.

Apple -

Thank you for enriching our lives through your participation in Piano World.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family !!!!

That's so sad ...and it brings such a warm smile to think of Apple. I was just in my garden, a lovely winter evening, there are the first violettes, blue ones and white ones ...

To Apple and her family,

I hope the thought of all you have inspired in your life through your music brings some peace to you. From reading everything here you know many have been touched by you.

rada

Apple, always so kind to everyone!

Very admiring of such a positive attitude (I do not recall one unkind post from her) during such a difficult time in her life!

I hope Hospice will play her favorite music during her last hours...

With dreadful news a flood of thoughts

Emotion filled color and sound

Songs of joy

Chants of sorrow

Bach must sing

From fingers now

Dear Apple

The sound of you

I always enjoyed Apple's posts, playing, recordings, and zest for life. I know that Apple will go bravely forward. And if you do happen to read this, Apple, know that we are all praying for you.

Dear Apple,
I always smile when I read your posts. Your responses are always kind, warm and helpful. You also have a lovely sense of humor. Thank you so much for being such a warm, welcoming person. We are all blessed by your presence.

So sad to hear.
My thoughts and prayers are with Apple and her family !

Peace and best wishes to Apple. Like many others, I never knew about this. There was one time that I noticed her making a subtle reference that sounded like there might be some such issue, and I tried quietly to ask if she might say more but she chose not to. I didn't ask again but realized she might be fighting a heroic battle that she wished to keep private. Thanks to Apple for all her positivity and her great contributions to this site, and wishing that she is as much in peace as possible.

Very sad news indeed. I've "known" Mary since shortly after joining the forum. She has always been unfailingly polite, positive and helpful. She deserves a peaceful ending surrounded by people who love her. I'm sure there are many.

Needless to say really sad to hear this. My prayers are with her and her family.

Apple has been and forever will be, intertwined within the fabrics and threads of Piano World. I have always enjoyed reading her comments.

Apple was active when I first joined PW. I was sorry to hear about this.

Cathy

Ohhh! So sad--words fail.

I hope it is some consolation to those close to her that her time spent here at PW reflects a life well-lived through music.

Indeed.

I never met Mary in the flesh, though we talked on three forums. I'm sure she knows that she has touched a lot of people.

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

Shel Silverstein

Very sad news, but what a joy to read all the loving posts from fellow members!