Celebrating Miss Mary - An Interview with, "The Music Lady"

I recently looked up the origin of the word "celebrity," and found it was derived from the late Middle English (in the sense 'solemn ceremony'): from Old French celebrite, or Latin celebritas, which means 'frequented or honored'. I think the term has come to mean well known more so than honored in the traditional sense these days, but still it has become the chief status desired by artists from every discipline in our time. Well, this morning I met with a celebrity in the traditional sense...well known by a few, but honored by all who have come to know her.  

Mary Kunsman is known to the Lowcountry as, "The Music Lady," but over the years I've been blessed to call her friend. I perform a recurring service for her as part of my day job at her home in Goose Creek, SC, and this morning after I finished my work, I asked her if I could stay a little while and talk with her about her life, and lifelong love of music. Well, when Mary talks to you about music, you're going to get a love story, and a few notes sung out here and there. Her passions are woven together, and music is her means of expression.

Mary Kunsman

This morning. Mary was already dressed for work. Only 9:00am, and already she had her hair and makeup done. She looked as if she was ready to attend church. At nearly 90 years old, Mary still makes her rounds as a regular volunteer at Trident Medical, Summerville Community, and Roper St. Francis Hospitals, and today was no exception.

We sat down at the dining room table, and gathered there were clippings from the Post & Courier, local papers, letters from appreciative folks at the hospitals, pictures, and special keepsakes. I couldn't help but notice her picture in an article right beside another picture of Darius Rucker. We laughed as I noticed she had the larger picture on the page! We talked of her younger days. Mary said her earliest influence was Shirley Temple. They were nearly the same age. She told me about trying out for the Mickey Mouse Club, and she spoke of her parents who were both involved with local church choirs. They would bring home their sheet music, and Mary learned to sight read from watching them practice. She learned to play piano, and enrolled in college as a music major. 

At this point, we had arrived at one of Mary's favorite topics...how she met her husband, Gene. If you've ever talked with Mary for long, you will hear her make a reference lovingly to "my Gene," as she still calls him. She told me how they met over a game of ping pong at her friend's church, and how Gene had told her that he was about to leave for the war in the Pacific in WWII. She said she was at first a reluctant pen pal of sorts since she didn't really know him well, but that he had already made up his mind about her after a game of ping pong it would seem. Early on, she told him about her love of music, and that she would always be a part of a choir...and, she always has been to this day, she added, though making the stairs in the loft is a much more challenging task these days.

Mary and Gene had eight children, seven girls and one boy. They are all musical to some degree, and she taught most every one of them a little something on the piano to take with them. Her references to Gene now are always joy mingled with a touch of sadness since his passing, but she said that she had 57 years with him, and counted each of them a gift to be treasured. With each love song that Mary shares, it is easy to see, and feel, the 57 years of inspiration that brings a special kind of authenticity to every note.

From here, we discussed her volunteer work. She started singing for patients in Gainesville, FL, some years back at a place called Al'z Place. She laughed and said though it sounded like the name of a bar, it was actually a place for advanced stage Alzheimer's patients. She said that she would would go around the room, take each one by their hands and sing songs with them. They may not have remembered who they were, but for a moment during the day, they remembered a song and it made them smile. After moving to Goose Creek, Mary has continued this work, and has touched so many lives in this simple, yet moving, way.

Performance at the Cuppa Manna in Summerville, SC

We talked about the special musical moments of Mary's life, and she recounted each with such profound gratitude. There was not a hint of boasting, but rather joy, as she recalled how she had sang with a choir accompanying Sandi Patti at Carnegie Hall. During the same visit, she had the opportunity to sing out her solo tribute to New York in that very same hall.  She spoke of her 4 Alaskan Cruises with the Gaither Vocal Band, and her daughters, and the time she was asked to dance with Mark Lowry (songwriter for the Christmas classic, "Mary Did You Know?"). She then handed me a small hand written card from the renowned George Beverly Shea. He had received her autobiography, "Loves Remembered," and was moved to write her a very special note of thanks.

If reaping what you've sown is the way of things, then it is most fitting that Mary's focus during our time was on the many blessings of her life...love, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and music, beautiful, meaningful music. All of the blessings we are called and strive to be for others seem to find their way back...many in our time, some in the time to come, but they do not go forward without effect.

As we talked, the time flew nearly as quickly as the years she recalled, and it was time for both of us to get back to our duties for the day. As I left, I thought on how we each have the choice of how we use our time, our gifts, our calling.  We can seek celebrity or we can celebrate others...We can seek blessings, or we can be a blessing. Mary's decision on both counts is clear, and it inspires me.