Mary Ellen Doyle in Remembrance

When I hear music from Copland’s Our Town

Suite, I think of a retired teacher I had the honor

of knowing, Mary Ellen Doyle, mother of my

lady friend, Pat, at the time.

She lived in a small farm community, Camp

Point. Illinois. Today, that small town in the

West Central part of the State is only a sleepy

eyed remnant of the past.

To me, and I’m sure for others who lived there

in more fruitful rural times, a sorrow and a shame

that family farm communities have diminished

in such a way.

Mary Ellen and her sister, Jean, also a teacher,

were life-long and respected residents in their

community of some 1100 people.

On our frequent visits, Pat and I were always

welcomed with open arms, always gifted with

a down home counrty hospitality.

I still have images of Mary Ellen on her sofa

relaxing in the living room of her quaint, two

bedroom, white, frame bungalow with a good

book and her faithful fox terrior by her side.

I have long since forgotten the little black and

white pooch’s name, but I do recal Mary Ellen

telling us of his adventures catching and shaking

the life out of garter snakes in the back yard.

There was always a country charm, a calm and

soothing aura, an easy-going country grace which

emanated from the heart and soul of Mary Ellen’s

place. Made a big city boy like me feel right at home.

Mary Ellen passed away to her Eterrnal Country

Home in 2010 at the age of 94.

I listen to music from Our Town Suite by Copland

often. And as long as I live, I shall close my eyes

in peace, thoughtfully in remembering.

                               -30-

Chris Hanch 5-20-2020