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Mary Stanley legacy continues

By Staff | Jun 25, 2021

Many of us fondly member Mary Stanley’s manifold contributions to the Shepherdstown community and the far corners of the Eastern Panhandle.

Following her tragic death in an auto accident last fall we have often remembered her role in key events, such as the Back Alley Garden Tour and Tea, the annual Used Book Sale and numerous other initiatives requiring an acute knowledge of the human resources and facilities of our area. On June 25, 26 and 27, the community will get to see another amazing and wonderful aspect of her legacy — an estate sale of most of her massive collection of “stuff.”

Mary’s widower, Bob Smith, has graciously donated virtually all of the contents of their large home on the edge of town as a fundraiser for the Shepherdstown Community Club. Over the past six months, a dedicated team of volunteers has sorted and removed a vast array of Mary’s treasured finds into storage in preparation for the sale — 150 boxes in a commercial movers POD, as well as more items, enough to completely fill a large Valley Storage space and much of my garage. At this late date, some items are still emerging. Mary had eclectic interests — a love for old things, and anything unusual, including 35 large trash bags of ribbons, 40 boxes of various kinds of material, bolts of cloth, curios and framed art work. And most importantly, some valuable antiques. This is over and above 65 boxes at last count of books for the SCC’s book sale in October, including 1,000 cookbooks.

So, this evening, from 6-9 p.m., Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mary’s vast collection of items will be on sale on both floors of the War Memorial Building on German Street. There will be a live auction of specially selected items at noon on Saturday.

This will be an important fundraiser for the SCC, but more importantly, it will be a rare opportunity to acquire some of Mary Stanley’s treasured Americana. You can apply any modifier you prefer: nostalgia, souvenirs, memorability, collectibles, art or antiques.

If you have questions, you can contact me at 304-876-0598, 304-261-2359 or michael.austin@frontiernet.net.

Mike Austin, of Shepherdstown