Mary Hamilton
Reaching Out to the Sick and Infirm
-- Lovingly, Faithfully
A Nurturing Spirit Rooted in St. Paul Reaching Out A Special Touch
Ever Faithful Postscript
A spry, young-at-heart Mary Hamilton uses two canes instead of a walker so that she "can move faster." Where does she want to keep on going at that age? To church and to visit the sick and infirm.
Throughout her long life, she has been ever faithful to both. Her loving faith nurtures her spirit; her spirit nurtures others. It is a circle of believing, living, and loving which only deepens over the passing years.
Born Mary Chambers, August 12, 1903, in St. Paul, Minnesota, she has lived there her whole life, in a variety of locations. This, in itself, is rather unusual in our mobile society. However, her going out to the sick, lonely, and infirm, at an age when she might be visited by others, also reflects her character and her life story.
Mary went to the Cathedral school, the "sister's school" where she made her First Communion and dreamed of being a sister. She was the oldest child of a family of seven girls. Her father's sudden death, when she was 13 and the youngest only a year old, thrust her into the role of helping to raise her siblings. Her many responsibilities included chopping wood at night for an old wood stove.
Mary stayed home until she was 18. She later married and had five children, three boys and two girls. Following her second husband's death in 1974, Mary sold her home, divided the money among her children, and moved into an apartment. The only one left of her generation, Mary now has over 60 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her visiting others moved into full swing after World War II, when she would go to Fort Snelling to see the wounded soldiers. Playing Checkers with them, the prize was always bedroom slippers. 
Her faithfulness continued as life brought changes: her son serving in the war, working at the telephone company and later at Summit Universal Federation, and being a princes, a lady in waiting, at the Winter Carnival.
A major source of nourishment for her is her faith and her involvement with other parishioners at her church, St. Peter Claver. She walked to church until about a year ago. The "worn-a-bit" shop at her church served thousands of people because of her leadership and hard work; this included sending out thousands of hand written thank-you cards every year. Being chair of the fish bowl was another long-time activity.
One commitment was to serve as an election judge for years and years. Mary never missed voting, even as it is harder to get to the polling booth, where many friends remember her and greet her with care and with joy. Another favorite activity is fun! In her day, she has been the life of the party. She was a Charleston girl for the Golden Years for a long time.
Each person touches Mary's heart.
If someone desires something special, she gets it for them. Her attention is drawn to those who are alone in nursing homes and care center. One example was a blind friend -- she brought cheer to her for 20-30 years, until the woman died. Her visiting now includes her nephew who is supposed to bury her. 
He has had five by-passes.
Candy, books, and her hand-made bedroom slippers are among the goodies which Mary brings to others. For Christmas, a favorite time for her, she has made hundreds of little stockings and stuffed them with candy canes and other treats.
A typical day of reaching out begins with stuffing her bag with treats for those she will be visiting. Besides hand-made gifts, her surprises include such items as cookies, soda and a straw, magazines, and fruit. Not having a car, she takes the bus, which adds significantly to her time commitment.
One of her most enjoyable moments was stopping to see a priest in the hospital. She blessed him, a nice reversal of roles which they both recognized, with humor and delight.
Other people are also touched by her love and concern. One such person is a man who will soon be turning 100. He rides the bus every day to Mass. She has already decided that she will get him a pair of gloves for his birthday, for his fingers are sticking out of his current ones.
As she ages, Mary has some sight and hearing problems and her knees are deteriorating. Continuing to reach out to others means ignoring or overcoming the pain of walking, of getting on the bus, of climbing stairs. Her doctor has told her that she is too old for surgery. She has told him that using a walker is not an option, for it is "too slow." Mary lives with and works around the pain.
Bringing her winning personality, gifts, and a bright smile, Mary wants to be present to those in need as long as she is able. "I just like doing it."
This story about Mary was added in January 2000. One of her caregivers contacted Hill Connections in March 2008 and provided the following updated information.
Currently in an assisted-living facility with 24-hour care, Mary still keeps going -- even with problems hearing and seeing. No longer able to use canes, Mary now has a mobilized scooter to move faster. She enjoys week-end visits with her family, and she is very aware of and content with her surroundings. While no longer able to visit the sick and shut-ins, Mary makes sure that she still attends funerals.
Her motto in living so long is "never be angry with anyone and help somebody needing help." If it is God's will, all those who know her will feel blessed to celebrate her 105th birthday in August 2008.
She truly is an amazing woman!
Pictures -- thanks to Mary Hamilton
Top Mary Hamilton's bright smile.
Second from top Her First Communion Day, 1913.
Second from bottom Modeling a $400 hat: "Not bad for a 92 year old!"
Bottom Visiting, sharing gifts with Dorothy Roberts.