2003 Media Reviews

More than two thousand people hit the streets of Saco last Sunday, not to protest a war with Iraq or to march in an early St. Patrick's day parade, but instead they were walking for Mary.

Mary Kerry Libby was a popular Saco woman who had an immense circle of family and friends. She was a picture of health. Mary could be seen almost every day as she hiked from her Ross Road home to the center of town, past the Kerrymen Pub owned by her four brothers. The Kerry's are a close-knit bunch.

Mary was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer (Burkitts lymphoma) in July 1996, she died 8 months later on March 7, 1997. She was 44. Her husband of 27 years and four children were crushed. As was her circle of friends and admirers. Two years later, in 1999, Mary's circle they turned their grief into something positive by organizing a memorial walk in Mary's name.

Sunday marked the fifth annual Mary's Walk.
A two and a half mile hike along the same route Mary walked.

The Kerry brothers also resurrected the Kerrymen Pub Road Race which was popular in the 1980s.

As always, the race/walk is held on the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day,
in recognition of the Kerry's Irish heritage. Mary's Walk has become a benefit for the Maine Cancer Foundation. All the money raised, stays in Maine and is spent on cancer research and education. Even Gov. John Baldacci made an appearance at this year's Mary Walk. "This means so much for cancer research, cancer services and cancer
programs", he told the crowd that gathered at Thornton Academy. When the gun fired at 12 noon, 420 runners hit the pavement. A half hour later 1,244 walkers took to the streets. Mary's Walk raised a record $100,000 this year. After expenses, organizers said more than $90,000 would be donated to the Maine Cancer Foundation.

More than 150 volunteers were on hand and there were hundreds of spectators. More than two thousand people in all. Mary's husband, Gene Libby, said this day is very emotional, but gratifying. " It's quite amazing," he said. "The crowd is overwhelming. It's hard to process. Mary was a quiet, shy person, but she touched so many lives," he said. "She had a way about her that is indescribable."

Marys only sister, Ann Kerry of South Portland, said Mary was a wonderful mother and wife, sister and friend. "It's wonderful that something good came out of something so very sad," she said.

The annual Mary's Walk has been a healer for the family, she said. The huge turnout year after year is something that doesn't surprise those who knew Mary.
"It's such a great testimony to Mary." Ann talked about how her sister hated to be the center of attention. "If she saw that banner strung across Main Street with her name on it, she would be horrified." Each year, the banner hangs over the city and each year hundreds, now thousands, turn out.

Mary never met Pam Paul, a beloved teacher at Waynflete School. Pam, had battled cancer for 17 years. She was the longest survivor of a bone marrow transplant in the entire country. Pam rallied her students and walked in Mary¹s Walk during the last three years. She had taken a turn for the worse at the end of last year, but made it her goal to live long enough to walk in Mary's Walk. Pam died on Feb. 8, five weeks shy of Mary's Walk. Her students, friends, fellow teachers and Waynflete staff members walked in her memory. Wearing pink, heart-shaped pins with a picture of Pam, the group walked proudly for Mary and their beloved teacher.

"She put everyone else first," said Drew McMullan, 18, of Cape Elizabeth. A senior at Waynflete, McMullan said Pam Paul was an inspiration. "She's probably the kindest person I've ever known," he said.

Another Waynflete student from Cape said she wanted to walk, because Pam
was so determined to make it. "I was very sad when Pam died," said Betsy Critchfield. "I wanted to finish it for her," she said. "This is such a positive, nice way to remember
her." Lily Hoffman, 14, of Cape Elizabeth and a freshman at Waynflete said the
walk was a way to keep Pam's spirit alive. "If she was here she would be with us," Hoffman said. "I'm sure she is looking down on us and smiling and supporting us.

Mary is likely looking down and smiling too.