Mary Reed and Family

On March 9, 2022, Mary Reed, an amazing, outstanding woman was tragically taken from this world by vehicular manslaughter. Mary is survived by her two beautiful daughters, ages 20 and 17, and an entire community of people who have been shocked and devastated by her recent passing.

 

Mary tended bar throughout multiple establishments in Madison. She was known as one of the best bartenders in the city and had a large following of patrons-who all became her friends. Everyone looked forward to her visits. She would pop in for a beer, a chat and would always leave the room glowing with love and laughter. Many recognize her as the spunky, sassy, lady with the colorful headscarf or funky hat. If you were to ever shake her hand you may realize she only had four fingers on her right hand which she introduced as “the skinny hand”. She loved the occasional scratch off, solving crimes on Ion television, and most of all spending time with her children she raised and loved. Her life was consumed by her daughters. Not a day would go by without each daughter receiving a phone call from their mother.Mary was a woman with an incredible amount of strength. She carried her family through the loss of her mother, her divorce, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and many other life events. She loved to laugh and argue, sing and dance. She adored the festival season, often being the crazy lady at the front of the stage dancing along with her arms in the air. She was authentic and real, strong and inspiring; someone who never gave up, no matter the strife.

 

After 15 years, Mary was finally given the opportunity to vacation in Florida with her sister. On the third day, while walking back to her hotel from the beach, she was tragically murdered in vehicular manslaughter. The assailant fled the scene and the Florida police are still searching for him.

 

She had so much love to give but was sadly taken from us too soon. The lives of Mary’s daughters will never be the same. Since her murder her daughters have not received a call a day. The girls have not hugged their mother, laughed with her or even gotten to see her beautiful face. The girls will no longer get to enjoy the triumphs in her life. Instead they have sat holding each other, holding onto her partner and their third sister, and crying along with the community that loves her dearly. These girls are now moving forward in this world without their mother. Mary’s daughters no longer have her guidance and protection both emotionally and financially. These girls have a long road ahead of them and many dark days. It would mean the world to Mary to know that the community has come together during these tragic circumstances to help her girls financially. Please consider making a contribution to the future of Mary’s girls.