Some of my newer friends won’t recognize the name Mary Bastianelli; she is the mother to my dear departed friend Doug and, I’m sad to say, passed away earlier this week.
I never met her, but I did reach out to Mary and her husband after Doug’s death. Evan’s middle name is Douglas, and so for the first couple of years of his life I would send Mary and Al photos and notes about my little boy’s harrowing early days and then his bloom into full health. Mary always wrote very sweet letters back, and sent a copy of “Goodnight Moon” that we read to this day.
I don’t know the circumstances behind Mary’s passing, but I do know that somewhere, Doug welcomed her with a bear hug and that wide, mischievous grin. I’m glad they’ve been reunited.
