I first met “Maria Hansen” in the fall of 1973 when I began my first teaching job at Mitchell El. For a nervous first year teacher, Marie’s smile, humor and help were so appreciated. Then, quite a few years later, she transferred from the psyche department, to the Diagnostic Center, a separate building on the Olympia Brown property, where we reconnected. Yes to the mysteries, “ gentle mysteries” as she called them. No gruesome Stephen King type books for us. Marie introduced me to so many of the old English mystery writers, like Margery Allingham. She also told me about picking and preparing fiddle head ferns while growing up in Maine. I picked some about a month ago at my snow bird home in Georgia, thinking of her as I did so. I have a recipe she prepared for us at the Diagnostic Center for slab “apple” pie, which, I think, was made from zucchini! Marie and Honey had us out to their place several times at the end of the school year. We’d enjoy food, laughs and sitting in the gazebo in the back. I’m appreciative of all the wonderful memories I have of her. What a loss.
Kathy Krause