In Remembrance: Mary Graf

We were devastated to learn of Mary Graf’s sudden passing.

Shortly after Mary, a proud descendant of Sharon’s Hotchkiss family, and her husband Jack moved into the area some five years ago, she threw herself into the library. She volunteered at the Book Signing and at other events — never without a smile on her face. She underwrote holiday greenery for the library. She enthusiastically participated in any number of our programs and activities. Symbolic of her support is the wheelchair lift she donated. Thanks to Mary, the library, for which she had such affection, is now accessible to everyone.

The library wasn’t the only beneficiary of her time and energy. As House Manager, she was in charge of all volunteers at the Sharon Playhouse during the summer. She was an enthusiastic “Hillside Stoner,” cleaning gravestones at the Hillside Burying Ground where several of her family members are buried. She was also a benefactor of the Hotchkiss School and endowed the “Mary Graf Barn” at Hotchkiss’ Fairfield Farm.

She probably also gave of herself elsewhere, but we like to think that the library was first in her heart. Mary loved the library, and everyone at the library loved her right back.

We are so very saddened by Mary’s loss and will miss this warm, surpassingly generous and ever cheerful lady terribly.

The Board of Directors and Staff

The Hotchkiss Library of Sharon