The Moth SF GrandSLAM Winner Mary Shaughnessy Now Or Never

Mary - you are and will always be a shiny bright light - thank you for shining on us. I miss you and the space in this world we shared.

Yes

What a beautiful story of love and friendship. I know that Mary will be missed by so many and remembered by them with deep love.

It was such an honor to share the stage with Mary that night. It was the best night of stories I had ever been a part of, but Mary's story was simply in a different category. She was also so kind and gracious backstage. I was so saddened to learn of her passing. It hit me harder than I expected even though I only spent that one day with her.. She just seemed absolutely indestructible that evening. I suppose she really is in the ways that matter.

Always the teacher❤ Big energy, smile, joy, and gratitude💕

So beautiful, Mary. I love your point about not needing to complete a bucket list and measuring our lives in love. Thank you.

Hi Mary. What an incredible story and you just keep kicking ass. But, I do have to disagree a bit with your closing statement in this story. I'm glad that people showed and are showing you lots of love. I just don't know that they are showing you more love than you showed them. You give lots of love and always have. I know you mostly from high school. The love and kindness you showed to me and everyone around you was amazing. Teen years are tough on kids, but you were a huge force for good. I enjoyed HS because of people like you. I know lots of us rolled our eyes at Sister Denisita and her stories... but I also know she would be proud of you; I am. I love the person you were then and the super woman you are now.

💠🦋🌈Thanks for mirroring in many ways my very experience with stage 4 tonsil cancer ( fall 2019) , subsequent chemo and radiation which finished shortly before Covid . I’m hopeful to have beat it …for now 🫣. Like Mary , I am grateful everyday for life, despite some side effects and limitations. Love, kindness, a great medical team and loving family are memories which help me along with faith in promises yet to be fulfilled are like oxygen. Thanks agin Mary for sharing your lovely experience with humor, and words crafted to create fellow feeling for now or never. PS. I didn’t get an excavator tho… but I did ( with my husband of 40 plus years) get a little 1000 ft. Cabin built on the back of our son’s property where we relocated so I can live close to my medical care and my family support .🌈🦋❄️🌻

Mary, being present to watch you tell this story was a lifetime high. I will miss you forever and ever. Thank you for your light. If there's anything anywhere, I know you're there, shining on us all. ❤

What an extraordinarily beautiful gift you've given us all. Thank you!

A very powerful and moving video. I remember Mary from my earlier years working at Sea Trek Kayaking Center in Sausalito. She always had this refulgent quality about her. Her lovely, warm and expressive nature touched many people including me. I send my best wishes to her family and blow a kiss in the sky...may she catch it!

Beautiful beyond words.❤

Wonderful, Mary! Congratulations.

Beautiful. 💐💕💫

Thank you Mary for gracing my life and learning at your knee. xoxoxoxoxo

love you my dear old friend … now or never indeed❤

Thank you for the valuable lesson of welcoming and acknowledging love. You are an amazing person.

what a beautiful story. So moving. God Bless.

Love u Mary ❤❤❤❤U rock!

Just beautiful.