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Carey Winfrey's avatar

Nice piece; sweet memories.

Max Alexander's avatar

Thanks Carey!

Winter Came's avatar

A great picture - and portrait - of Marianne, Max. Lots of information I didn't have about her early life - and then Rip Torn thrown in, of all people! My memories of her begin when she and Jim married at St Patrick's Cathedral in NYC and lived briefly upstairs from Gram on College Ave. But my dearest memories are of her in later middle age in Tucson where she took us under her wing when we moved there, helped us find a home, and also guided me in trying out real estate work, which she had successfully taken up. Her love of reading continued, in particular she led me to read Sophie's Choice, popular at the time. Investor that she was, she bought our Tucson home to add to her portfolio when we left for Chicago. She is unforgettable, and I remember her fondly.

Max Alexander's avatar

Thanks cuz, lovely comments! Rip Taylor not Rip Torn, so yeah pretty weird haha. My first memories are in that College Ave apartment.

Marnie1975's avatar

Well. I would not call your mom weird. But a broken soul. I’m sorry she suffered so much at the hands of her parents. Who does not. It’s only the human fragility. Your mom was very beautiful! Not everyone woman was born to nurture. Only mama Rosa. And lucky I’m blessed to have Italian mom and other likeminded moms that love their roles as nurture!

Jeremy Gerard's avatar

Poured-into paisley and a cigarette holder — mamma mia!

Max Alexander's avatar

Haha yeah that was the look of the moment. I think she smoked like one cigarette a week; it was about the prop.