Alpha Chi Omega - Purdue University

Alpha Chi Omega 3 A s I write this article, I can imagine Mary sitting across from me at a local coffee shop on campus shaking her head. "It's not about me," she would say. Well, Mary, this time it is about you—our beautiful and wonderful sister we lost in December. There aren't enough words to describe Mary Harrison Ford '57: kind, loyal, humble, honest, hard-working, eager, committed, loving, generous, wise and funny. As many of us can attest, her foundation was loyalty. She was the foundation for many of us as a new member of Alpha Chi Omega—sister, advisor, mentor, friend and more. She was the epitome of sisterhood and leadership—what we all can hope and strive to emulate. While Mary was a stalwart all her own, her dearest Fred was her forever companion and the love of her life. Many of us first learned about Mary when we arrived on campus and ate at the Fred and Mary Ford Dining Court. Some of us who were blessed would become Alpha Betas and realize Mary was a legend and Fred was her Alpha Chi Sweetheart—a role he played well through the years. Mary's list of service and dedication to Alpha Chi Omega, Purdue University and her community is extensive. However, I hope we embrace and cherish Mary's memory not by the titles but by her character. In today's world, it seems we always revere titles and fame when we need to recognize and praise good character, one of our Alpha Chi Omega membership criteria. When the passing of Mary was revealed, our sisters didn't share that she served on the board of Girl Scouts USA, as president of the Purdue Women's Club and on President Martin Jischke's President's Council. We sometimes forget that in Stone Hall there is the Mary Ford Conference Room and on campus stands the Fred and Mary Ford Dining Hall. We won't always remember that she served on the Alpha Chi Omega Board of Directors as national vice president and as chairwoman of the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. While all these titles should be celebrated, especially for a person who committed her life to service, her impact was greater than a title. When we share our memories of Mary, the titles and structures don't resonate; her character does. "Mary was a beautiful woman inside and out! She exemplified all the qualities of an AXO. She was an inspiration to many!" "Mary was such a beautiful example of character, generosity and sisterhood to Alpha Beta." "....a mentor, supporter and steady source of witty one-liners." "A gracious lady who personified Alpha Chi Omega." "A true woman for others. What a shining example of what we are all called to be." "....a class act!'" "Such an inspiration to all Alpha Chis." "....a wonderful supporter of Alpha Beta for decades [who] leaves many impacts on the chapter." "She was a gift to all of us Alpha Betas as well as to the National Alpha Chi Omega organization." "….was such a lovely, caring woman." "Mary was a true treasure to everyone who knew her!" "What a blessing she was to our AXO Alpha Beta Chapter." To know Mary was to love Mary, from the very moment you saw her smile and felt her warm embrace to her coffee shop talk and advice about life, love, service and sisterhood. If any of us are lucky, we will have a handful of these qualities on the pages of our life stories. Mary has them all. May we learn from her, cherish her memory, exemplify her character, seek the heights like she did and love, in the bond, forever. Loyally, Katie Thomas Glick '04 Bonnie Andrews Hockema '74 and Angela Costley Harris '86 with Mary during the Alpha Beta Centennial Celebration in September 2018. Our Sister and Impactful Leader Our Sister and Impactful Leader Remembering Mary Harrison Ford '57

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