Obituary: Mary Alice Wren Passes Away At 79

Anton Community Newspapers • 132 East 2nd Street • Mineola, NY 11501 • Phone: 516-747-8282 • FAX: 516-742-5867

Obituary: Mary Alice Wren Passes Away At 79

Tuesday, 20 November 2012 00:00

Garden City’s Wren family has announced the death of Mary Alice Wren, a writer, teacher and journalist who died from Alzheimer’s disease on Nov. 6.

Ms. Wren, a resident of Garden City for 41 years, was formerly a teacher at Adelphi University, an editor for Vantage Press and a freelance writer of essays, short stories and reviews for publications such as Ms., Newsday and The Village Voice.

Mary Alice Wren Born in Alpena, Michigan, on July 1, 1933, as Mary Alice Rouse, the daughter of Aldro Martin Rouse and Pauline Robertson Rouse, Ms. Wren was raised in Atlanta, MI, and later in Lansing. She attended Michigan State University and then worked for a year as a newspaper reporter in Kalamazoo, MI, while waiting for her sister, Suzanne Rouse, to graduate from Michigan State. They then set out for New York, Ms. Wren as an aspiring writer and her sister as an aspiring actress.

In New York, Ms. Wren worked for Beauty Fashion magazine, and in 1960 married Charles Gayden Wren, a fellow Lansing native living in New York. They subsequently had four children, and relocated to Garden City in 1971. Ms. Wren subsequently earned a master’s degree in English literature from Adelphi University, later teaching writing and literature at the same school.

A private burial took place on Nov. 10 at Calverton National Cemetery, the burial place of Mr. Wren, who died in 2008. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Ms. Wren’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Ms. Wren is survived by her siblings, Suzanne Rouse Stern of Kingston, NY, and Kendall Rouse of Madison, WI., as well as by her four children, C. Gayden Wren III of Steinway, N.Y., Kendall C. Wren of Hoboken, NJ, Carrie Prystalski of La Grange, IL, and Lauris P. Wren of Kew Gardens, as well as by five grandchildren: Lenny, Ben, Mary and Katie Prystalski of La Grange and Max Mills-Wren of Kew Gardens.

“The two things she loved most were her family and books,” her son Gayden said. “Books and words meant the world to her, and she passed on that love to her children and grandchildren, as well as to her students at Adelphi. Her favorite author was Jane Austen, her favorite book Pride and Prejudice, but she also was a devotee of modern novels and contemporary poetry, as well as a fan of modern art, grand opera, 1960s rock ‘n’ roll and classic country music.

“All her children are readers,” he concluded, “and all of us are musicians. That love of the arts is surely her greatest legacy to us.”

News

Bugs Bower Lecture

Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00

Friends of the Garden City Public Library will sponsor a free lecture, “Life in the Music Business,” with Garden City resident “Bugs” Bower. The legendary music arranger/producer/publisher will be appearing on Thursday, May 30 at 2 p.m. at the Garden City Public Library at 60 Seventh St. to share excerpts from his new book, Nice Stories about Nice People—highlights from his personal experiences in the music business.

Patience Please, With Impatiens

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

When gardeners begin shopping for spring flowers, they may notice a familiar staple missing: the impatiens.

Impatiens walleriana, which are beloved globally for their wide selection of color and low maintenance, have been affected by a fungus called downy mildew. The fungus first causes tiny spots, then yellowness on the leaves. A few weeks later, all that’s left is the flower’s stem and a frustrated gardener.

Sports

Playing With A Big Stick

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

Defense keys successful lacrosse seasons

The boys and girls high school teams are both rolling and have their sights set on a long run in the playoffs. Both team have faced a number of formidable opponents throughout the season and have successfully navigated their schedules. One thing that has been consistent for both teams has been that their defenses have had to stand tall at key times and shut down very active offenses. Both Coach Finnell and Coach Chapman have made sure that the non-league schedules of their teams will ensure that their teams are prepared for whatever the playoffs can throw at them.

After going the full season last year undefeated, the boys team has three blemishes on their record with losses to powerhouses Ward Melville, Manhasset and LaSalle of PA. With a 9-3 record the Trojans are looking to wrap up the number two seed in the playoffs to force a rematch of the Manhasset game in the County finals. The boys have excelled defensively only allowing 4.25 goals against per game. And if you remove those three tough losses the goals against average drops to 3.1.

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

Hockey Rink Open

The Recreation and Parks Department’s new roller hockey rink is now open for general public use by Garden City residents during the following days and times:

Tuesdays 3:30 p.m. to dark

Wednesdays 3:30 p.m. to dark

Thursdays 3:30 p.m. to dark

Saturdays Noon to 6 p.m.

Sundays - Family Skate 3 to 6 p.m.