How do you capture in words the breath and depth of Mary Quinn Lund?  Mary was a manger an operations manager at Ericsson, an entrepreneur owning Lund Angus Farm, a life learner and teacher earning her masters in medicinal chemistry and teaching kids.  These are the tangible successes of Mary’s life…but these experiences showcase the true character and essence of Mary:

She was exceeding strong willed (don't get in her way when she feels something must happen).  People say, she is one of the toughest people they’ve ever met.  It would never occur to her to back away from any challenges – she hiked Longs Peak in the Rockies with a 50lb backpack!  She tackled each and every challenge with an energy and perseverance which resulted in many accomplishments & successes.

She loved to teach and learn.  You would often find her with her kindle in hand reading or listening to podcasts.  She loved to share her knowledge and experiences with everyone – teaching college kids, tutoring, and just simply sharing with her grown kids the latest sales she found at Kroger.

Mary was a loving/giving person.  She strived to always do right by others.  This mantra along with her friendly smile fostered lasting interpersonal connections (people just gravitated to her engaging persona).  She didn’t hold any grudges even though life dealt her a challenging hand. 

Mary was a fighter - she fought & beat 2 cancers (Hodgkin's & breast), fought major heart issues and survived open heart surgery to replace 2 valves and repair a third.   Her final fight was with lung cancer coupled with congestive heart disease that caused constant fluid buildup in her lungs.  She never gave up the struggle despite losing appetite coupled with throwing up what she could eat.  She kept trying to punch back, but she had suffered too many blows already, there just wasn't anything left to hit back with.  Her will to battle with such odds stacked against her was an inspiration to all who came in contact with her (even had the doctors in Philly tell me they don't make em any tougher).

Mary was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a friend.  Through every challenge she has been faced with in life – she did it with her sweet smile and loving attitude.  Doctors didn’t even think she could have kids due to her first fight with cancer – but decades later, the legacy she leaves behind are two beautiful sons with 7 grandkids.  She knew what it meant to build a family and something that lasts longer then yourself.  So many stories of how exhausted she was, yet she still took the time to play with her sons, Jason and Jeffrey.  She supported her sons even when she questioned their decisions because she knew this is how they would grow.  She was a soft-landing spot and always there if they fell ready to get them right back up back in to the world.  That unconditional, no strings attached love and support is a priceless gift that has turned Jason and Jeffrey into the men they are today.

She is literally the best nanny to her 7 grandkids.  Not many people that were suffering from so many health things would take in 4 boys under the age of 5 to stay on the farm.  No complaints, just pure grit, determination, and love.  She was always willing to keep the kids for extended periods of time.  She hiked up mountains to see a waterfall when she could not breathe, but do not get in her way to experience a moment with her grandkids and family.

She was my rock, my confident, my lover, and my soulmate and my life was and will be forever enriched by her love and presence.  She embodied Courage, Strength, Determination, Compassion, and Love - I passionately believe that one’s legacy is most evident in your grand-kids.  I will miss her as will many others, thanks to all who have prayed and showed love and concern during her last days, it was most needed and appreciated.  Her sweet smile and loving attitude have touched so many lives and it was my honor to have loved her for 53 years until her last breathe before she went home to Jesus.