Mary Vavruska

 TRANSCRIPT

Judy Grubin VO: My name is Judy Grubin. I met Mary V, as we called her at the community board when we were both members of the board. She was a gal of all trades. She was able to do everything efficiently, slowly. 

She liked to cook and she would always bring you something. It didn’t matter. It didn’t really have to be coffee, cake or a pie or something. She would make you a meal if she decided. Just like this, you know, she would just bring you over a pot and you would have your dinner out of nowhere. There was no reason, no special reason for her to bring you something to eat. She made chicken soup knowing that that was a tonic for all ills, all ailments.

And she would bake. She would bake cakes, all kinds of cakes. She was just very talented. She was a woman who was able to do everything efficiently, quickly, and just easily. She liked to read. She would go down to the strand every week or so and pick up books and all kinds of things.

It didn’t have to be a bestseller. It could be anything about anything. And she was very interested in architecture and she would walk the streets of New York with some groups and learn all about the architecture in New York. She was very diversified. Had many interests. 

Mary came across as strong-willed, but kind. She talked a lot, but she was a nice person. She really was. Everyone liked her and everyone knew that if you wanted something done, ask Mary, she would get it done.