Birth date: Feb 5, 1947 Death date: Nov 27, 2023
Dr. Mary Louise Cleave passed away on November 27, 2023, in Annapolis, MD. Mary was born on February 5, 1947, in Southampton, NY to Howard and Barbara Cleave. Mary grew up in Great Neck, NY with her sisters, Gertrude (Trudy) Cart Read Obituary
I just checked Mary's Wikipedia entry and was shocked to discover that she had died just two days ago. I remember Mary from her time at USU and when I first met her in Wellsville she was smoking a corn cob pipe, and lightly kicking a pig out of a shed doorway. I always associated her with Mammy Yokum after that :) Both she and my girlfriend at the time used to ride around with one of the big animal vets in Cache Valley, they were both in the botany department for a time, and both ended up elected fellows of the AAAS. There was something special about that department.
After Mary was selected as an astronaut and reporters were chasing her around campus, she hid out in my office for a bit. I made fun of her "scientist" photo in the newspaper, where she was wearing a white lab coat and holding a flask with what looked like a PH meter in it. We both laughed. She looked like the fox in a fox hunt, but soon left to lead the hounds around some more.
Mary was always kind and concerned with people and animals, a truly wonderful person. I will miss knowing that she is still around. Requiescat in pace.
This article is from 1981; it sums up Mary perfectly. We met the first day of classes at Colorado State University; both of us had thoughts of becoming large animal veterinarians, but eventually pursuing different paths. It was also the love of animals that sealed our friendship.
Fast forward many years: loving following her time at NASA, flying in the space shuttle, and then her time at SeaWifs. https://oceancolor.gsfc.nasa.gov/SeaWiFS/
She sent me Buttons and Patches from her time in space, Cherished Treasures!!! Met her once in Albuquerque, a stopover on a coast to coast jaunt in her huge powerful jet, just part of the regular flying routine she did. The Thrill of the takeoff was something I will always remember!!! We had some good laughs about our childhood; she obsessed with airplanes and flying, and getting her Pilots license early on. Her sister and I obsessed with horses 🤗
2005: Hubby and I took a trip to Washington DC, and Mary took us on the most incredible tour of the Air and Space Museum. We laughed and shared stories, and listened excitedly to details of her time in space. Called the kids on the phone to tell them where we were, they were astonished!
I am still in shock at her sudden and early death, but comforted by the speed in which it happened. An amazing fabulous active life, right up to the very end. I will always love you my dear friend, and I look forward to exploring the cosmos with you when it is my turn to fly off to heaven. And yes, we will have some wonderful gallops on the Heavenly Remuda, populated by my most wonderful beloved equines, accompanied by the doggies we have cherished over the decades.
Doing an internet search for Dr. Mary Cleave results in many delightful articles and YouTubes and talks; so grateful they will forever be online as a great tribute to a great human!!
The Lord's best blessings to each of you, dearest Cleave family. It has been a great blessing to be part of your lives for so very long ❤️💔❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
