Tributes

• All Tributes will be memorialized in a virtual book to be
  shared with all friends, colleagues and family.

• HOW YOU SPEND YOUR DASH

  8/28/2014 Mary Helen Condon Moore

  I read of a man, who stood to speak a the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning to the end. He noted that first came her date of birth, and spoke the latter with tears... But said what mattered most of all was the Dash between those years..(1953-2012). For that Dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth. For it matters not, how much we own; the cars, the house, the cash. What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our Dash. So think about this hard and long. Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left, that still can be rearranged. If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, And always try to understand the way other people might feel. And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more, And love the people in our lives like we've never loved before. If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile, Remembering that this special Dash might only last a little while. So, when your eulogy's being read, with your life's actions to rehash, Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your Dash? Author Unknown -- Given to me from Mary Kennemur at Merrill Lynch in Charleston, South Carolina. I will always cherish it because Mary lived it. Mary Helen Condon Moore

• Mary was a mentor and a friend to me.

  8/27/2014 Susan Ketchum

  Mary was a mentor and a friend to me. Although she was a champion for the women at Merrill Lynch, she was equally respected and loved by the men who had the opportunity to work with her. Mary asked me to be on her first Advisory Council to Management. I work out of the Hilton Head Merrill Lynch office and she was trying to get a diverse mix of Financial Advisors from her region to participate in quarterly meetings. That is when I had the great privilege to witness her unique style of management and decision making. Being a part of that small group inspired me to create my own Client Advisory Board. It also gave me the blessing of meeting some great Financial Advisors, most of whom remain my close friends today. That's what I think Mary did best.....she was a connector. She had an amazing gift to find those things that people had in common and bring them together to create lasting associations. I think of her often and wish I had been able to spend more time with her. I'm sure she is connecting in Heaven!

• Reading through all

  8/26/2014 Kimberly Elmore

  Reading through all the other tributes and stories from all the people who loved Mary sparked a lot of emotion from within. Such a huge loss for all the many lives that Mary touched during her short time with us. I started my career at Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor over 15 years ago and Mary was one of the first leaders of the firm that I had an opportunity to meet. What a true inspiration she was. As you can imagine there were not as many females in the industry at that time and one could easily feel overwhelmed by expectations. Mary sat in my office with me and told me to "make your own way Kimberly - I know that you are a great asset to this firm and I cant wait to see all the great things that you will accomplish". How little would she know how powerful, impactful and memoriable that conversation was to me. I truly believe that Mary was one of the best leaders that Merrill Lynch has ever had. Mary was the true asset to all of us! God bless you Mary and thank you for making a difference in so many lives.

• Anyone who did not have the opportunity

  8/26/2014 Rosalyn C. Denmark

  Anyone who did not have the opportunity to know her truly missed a blessing from God. A person full of love and compassion, she met you at your need. She took time out of her busy day to listen, and help wherever she could. From time to time she'd take a moment to visit your office and would always remember to have a word or two with you; which always made me feel special. The caliber of Mrs. Kennemur was very rare - I'm humbled to have been able to know her.

• Mary was and still is

  8/8/2014 Steve Szczublewski

  Mary was and still is one of the most motivating and inspirational people I have ever met in my life. I think the memory I value the most is the way she interacted with others no matter who they were, and the guidance she provided to them. I recall being at the wedding for one of our young advisors and his wife, who was a assistant in our office. Mary not only accepted the invitation to this event, but She made every friend and relative that was in attendance that evening aware of the fact that our organization was fortunate to have Paul &Karen as members of our firm and that they were 2 of the most important people in our complex at Merrill Lynch. I recall that story constantly, not only for the respect Mary showed this couple on possibly one of the most important days of their lives but the experience she provided for everyone there that evening. This was the experience that I witnessed in her presence not matter what the situation might be , and was simply amazing to see the inspiration she brought to people's lives.

• Mary's energy

  7/31/2014 Patricia Vanjaria

  Mary's energy and vibrant personality always lit up our office upon her arrival. She would walk with such conviction and direction accompanied by a huge smile on her face saying hello to everyone she passed along the way to her final destination. Mary always made those around her feel welcome and part of a greater purpose. She always embodied professionalism and style in her mannerisms -- qualities those around her tried to replicate. Mary's heart was always in the right spot at the right time. She made an impression and inspired those around her with her contagious generiosty and positive attitude. As noted in the multiple memoirs written by her friends, colleagues and family, Mary was truly a very special individual is who is sorely missed and who left us too soon.

• My friendship with Mary

  7/24/2014 Libby R. Whigham

  My friendship with Mary did not begin at Merrill Lynch. I met in the fall of 2008 Mary when I began working at the Moore Business School at USC & we instantly became more than co-workers but friends. Mary was no less than amazing. She touched anyone and everyone that was lucky enough to know her. No matter how busy she was Mary always gave you her undivided attention and made you feel important. And she remebered EVERYTHING! Mary definitely left her mark on this world and it was a mark than none of us will ever forget. Mary was the light of any room. Her light was one that was too bright to ever fade away. Mary, it was an honor to know you. Your drive, compassion, loyalty, & friendship will never be forgotten.

• Mary was Inspirational

  7/23/2014 Jenny Savallo

  Mary was Inspirational I was fortunate to meet Mary when she came to visit my Central Florida Complex. After she addressed the complex, I had a question for her and our conversation lead to what do I currently do here at ML and where would I like my ML career to go, at which point she gave me inspiring words and shared her experiences and difficulties as a working mom, but always with a "we can do anything" attitude. What impressed me the most was a week later I received an email from her letting me know that whichever avenue I decided to take here at ML, she would be there to help me. I remember thinking.. WOW!!! I could not believe as busy as she was and as many people as she met, she took the time to think of our conversation, and to just remember - WOW! Her words have always stayed in the back of my mind! She was a true leader, and I was very fortunate to be one of those touched by such an inspirational leader! Class ACT! Jenny Savallo

• Mary Was Magic

  7/11/2014 Sonya Arnold Motes

  Mary worked her magic on me... Mary was by far one of the most gifted Leaders I have ever had the privilege to know and work with.  She was most notably a natural motivator.   She came to Columbia and worked her magic and left everyone in her path a better person when she moved on.  Mary had a way of getting people to open up and then making them feel good about themselves.  I mean EVERYONE she came in contact with...always making those she met believe in themselves and wanting to strive to live their dreams and to be the best they can be.  She treated everyone she met with care and respect.  It was magical to experience and when you spent time with her in the presence of others, it was amazing to witness.   I knew Mary was special long before I ever even met her or worked with her.   When I came to work at Merrill Lynch while still a college student at the University of South Carolina - Columbia first in an Administrative role before becoming an Advisor, I had the pleasure of working with and being mentored by an Advisor here by the name of Jack Moorman (Mary's Uncle).  In doing so, I would speak with Jack's niece, Mary Moorman (Kennemur), when she called in to speak with him by phone from time to time.  Before long I felt like Mary was my long lost best friend and I could not wait to meet her in person.  Never in a million years did I imagine at that time what a positive impact she would end up having on my life 15 years later and that we would indeed have a special bond and friendship.   When Mary was chosen to come and lead our office at the retirement of our manager, Fred Miller, in 1998, I gave her a friendly warning that she had some big shoes to fill.  She smiled and winked (her trademark wink) and said, I won't try to fill his, I will just make my own.  Mary did just that!  Little did any of us know the massive footprint she would make in Columbia and every other place she marched during her memorable career at Merrill Lynch.   I feel very lucky to have had Mary in my life and to call her my friend.  I will forever remember her with a great fondness.  I am pretty sure that heaven is all the better now that she is there...working her magic.  Cheers Mary & Go Cocks! :)

• Mary Helped Anyone In Need

  7/11/2014 Margie Moore

  Mary  Kennemur was truly an inspirational leader.  My Mary story was a story of a woman that showed strength  and compassion for the people of the Pensacola area after we  suffered a devastating blow  by hurricane Ivan in September of 2004.   Mary and her management team rented a UPS truck and showed up in Pensacola two days after the storm with chain saws, gasoline, water, coolers of ice, food staples, generators, and even envelopes of cash for employees that had lost their homes.  The banks were not operational  and ATMS were not working so checks would not have been very helpful.   The emergency hot line that we called in to each day advised us to show up at the Village Inn parking lot and Mary Kennemur would be bringing a truck with supplies.   Not only did she show up....she unloaded the items we needed and personally helped load them into our vehicles and had a kind word and big hug for each of us.   Mary never missed an opportunity to say thank you, tell someone good job, admonish someone because she knew they could do better and encourage them to live up to her expectations of them,  and  most of all....help anyone in need on a very personal level. Mary, you will never be forgotten.  We are still trying to live up to your expectations.

• She Taught Me To See The Best In Everyone & Strive For Excellence

  4/10/2014 Lin Hosier

  There are so many fond memories with Mary-not sure how to single one out. I first met Mary when she landed in Rochester, NY as Director at the Merrill Lynch complex where I was working as the Administrative Manager. I can recall a lot of nervous excitement about having a female Director in the history of that office. I had heard through the trusty grapevine that Mary had designs to bring her Administrative Manager from Fort Wayne with her so my initial concern was job security! I remember walkin

• We Were All So Lucky To Have Known & Loved Mary

  4/10/2014 English Koontz

  I miss Mary terribly, and I think of you and Will so often. I truly appreciated this opportunity to write some of my memories of Mary. I have mentally composed letter after letter to you and Will and have never been able to find the words to offer sufficient comfort to you. I hope this project is allowing you to relive warm memories. We were all so lucky to have known and loved Mary!

• She Broke Down Barriers By Getting To Know People & Caring

  4/9/2014 Jeffrey Renelt

  Thank you for the opportunity to add a few words to this commemorative project… and how perfect… helping young woman explore and expand their perspective, their dreams and to be guided to a path that may help them to become more confident, fulfilled, happy and a stronger presence in the world….all qualities radiated by Mary.
  
  Mary touched so many in different ways… but for me, the essence of Mary was that she really broke down any barriers to leadership by getting to know us first as people, then as employees. She bonded with us in a way that was natural, friendly, and compassionate. By caring first and foremost about us…her people, and demonstrating that caring each and every day by her deliberate, overt, open arms and open heart warmth, she was hugely impactful at developing, supporting, mentoring, and encouraging a culture of self improvement and achievement.
  
  For me personally, Mary had the foresight and knowledge of me and my goals to marry my skills and passions with that of another advisor to form the first Ultra High Net Worth advisory partnership in the region. That partnership was very successful and enriching and became a seed for countless other partnering success stories throughout the firm.
  
  In summary, and as one of many, many ingredients needed to advance the confidence, prominence, and development of women leaders through this initiative…I would reiterate the immeasurable importance of the magical, beautiful, and highly effective gift of “ really getting to know those around you “ so that through a deep caring, empathy, and understanding…your success as a leader is evidenced less by your title, accolades, or status in an organization..…but by the results of your tireless efforts to help others around you grow, achieve, and succeed to their fullest potential. This was the mantra, spirit, and being of Mary Kennemur that I hope can be memorialized by this project.

• Mary Showed The Human Side Of Business

  4/8/2014 David Guadagnino

  When The Kennemur Family arrived in Rochester my Dad (Lou Guadagnino) and I were contemplating leaving Merrill Lynch due to ongoing discord with the previous local management. Mary sat down with the 2 of us and through her listening to us and working with us she came up with a mutually beneficial solution to our problem.
  
  She always treated both of us with respect, dignity and was sincere in everything that she did. It is because of her efforts that we decided to stay at Merrill Lynch and my father was able to retire with 25 years under his belt and I just celebrated my 21st anniversary here at Merrill Lynch.
  
  The thing about Mary for me is that she always showed the human side of the business. She treated me and everyone as a colleague and not as a subordinate, she was truly our partner both professionally and personally. I was not just Lou’s kid (even though I am very proud of that), but I stood on my own 2 feet.

• Forever Grateful For Her Kindness & Compassion

  4/8/2014 Barry Sullivan

  When Mary first came to Rochester, NY as the newly appointed manager of the Merrill Lynch Rochester, NY office complex, we immediately liked her. Mary had the natural gift of being warm and engaging the moment anyone met her. Suffice to say, she always made an excellent first impression. She certainly did with us!
  
  I had traveled around the country in my Merrill days and knew what it was like to be away from one's family. Dottie (my wife) knew as well so we invited Mary into our home for an old fashion, traditional turkey dinner with all of the trimmings. What a fun night that was!
  
  Fast forward to the late 1990's, Dottie and I had a life plan to buy a home on Martha's Vineyard where we had our honeymoon in 1981. That plan was realized when we found and purchased our Vineyard home in 1995. We were blessed with four active children and they all loved spending vacation time on Martha's Vineyard as well.
  
  I wanted to spend the summer with my family there. Technology, via laptop computers approved by Merrill Lynch, were still in their infancy but I thought it was a possibility. My primary concern would be gaining permission from management to do this.
  
  With a bit of trepidation, I approached Mary and carefully explained what I wanted to do. Mary was always good at listening and after I explained my desire she asked on simple question: "Barry, is this really important to you?"
  
  When I answered that it was she simply said "We'll then it's important to me. Let's see if we can make this happen."
  
  The rest as they say is history. I had an enjoyable and yet, at the same time a productive business, on the Vineyard that summer. Mary showed me that it could be done. One could have a successful business and still spend more time with one's family. Thanks to Mary's initial encouragement, this summer will mark my twentieth summer spending wonderful Vineyard time with my family. I am absolutely convinced that this would have never happened without Mary truly caring about me.
  
  I was fortunate and honored to know Mary and will be forever grateful for her kindness and compassion.

• She Didn't Just Want To Console Me, She Wanted To DO SOMETHING

  4/2/2014 Linda Kelly

  Mary was our Regional Director and I was the Director’s Assistant working for Jeff Adams in 2004. I had been at Merrill Lynch in Columbia for less than two years and had just had surgery and been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. When I got a call that Mary wanted to see me in her office, I could not imagine why I was being “called on the carpet” so to speak. As soon as I walked into her office, she gave me a big hug and told me how sorry she was to hear about the cancer. But typical of Mary she didn’t just want to console me, she wanted to DO SOMETHING. She offered to buy me a plane ticket and pay for a hotel in Houston so that I could get a second opinion at MD Anderson Cancer Center. This was not something that Merrill was going to pay – this was out of Mary’s pocket. I was so overwhelmed with such an extraordinary offer. As it turned out, my treatment in Columbia went very well but for those next eight months of chemo, it was a huge comfort to know that if I ever needed treatment outside of Columbia, Mary would see to it that I had the means to go. When Mary was in town, she always stopped by my desk to check on me and ask me if I needed anything. You always knew that she was sincere and it was an honor to know and work for her.

• Never Met Anyone So Charismatic, Vivacious, Funny, Interesting and Sincere As Mary

  4/1/2014 Elizabeth Lachanski

  My “Mary story” begins in early 1998 when Mary was named the RVP of the Merrill Lynch South Carolina Complex. She made her rounds to each of the offices within the complex to introduce herself and as she made her way to the Myrtle Beach office, I had no idea what was about to happen. As I learned that day and as time went on, Mary never made a silent entrance. On the day of Mary’s arrival, I was, as usual, stuck in the operations area putting up the daily mail and sorting through stacks and stacks of FA copies of monthly client account statements, just ripping page after perforated page. As she made her way around the office, it was my turn……the interview process, a process Mary would put most everyone through upon her first encounter with them. It was a ringing fire of questions, one after another after another and before you knew it, she knew where you were born, who your parents were, where they lived, what they did, names of siblings, where you went to school, your career path, how you got to ML, etc. all within a span of minutes, it was phenomenal! I had never met anyone so charismatic, vivacious, funny, interesting and sincere up until that day. Our conversation lasted only minutes, but she walked away knowing more about me than the people I had been working with in that office for the previous 14 months. Those things she learned……she never forgot.
  
  After a week or two, I received a call from Mary’s assistant in Columbia. Following some small talk, Irene told me that Mary requested I come to Columbia and interview to be her assistant. (Irene had two small boys at the time and decided she wasn’t able to dedicate the time Mary was going to need to put Columbia on the map for ML). After some robust laughter, I said to Irene, “are you kidding, I just moved 800 miles away from where I grew up to a place I hardly know and now you want me to leave the little family I have here and move to Columbia?” As you might have guessed, I took the interview and in a short month, I was moving to Columbia to work with Mary Kennemur. Life as I knew it, was about to change!
  
  I can’t possibly describe all the adventures and happenings that went on during my 2+ years as Mary’s assistant as those would be better suited in a novel titled, “life and great times with Mary Kennemur”. There is one thing though that I will always remember about Mary. She had, what I call, “the gift”. It was amazing how Mary could conduct a difficult conversation or deliver an unpopular message. You knew it was coming, you knew something wasn’t right and “Mama” wasn’t all too happy, but when it was over, it was like you had this halo over head, all was right with the world and you were going to go out and fight and march on that path that Mary just set you down with a pat on the back and huge smile on her face. I used to think, this is crazy, I knew FAs were going into their year-end reviews to meet their doom and as Mary would shut that door, she would wink, as if to say, game on! But when the door opened, and the FAs stepped out, laughing, handshakes, pats on the back…..the march was on. How did she do it? How did she always have that way of delivering the message that business wasn’t where it needed to be or more so, where she expected it to be or the real downers were she needed to coach someone out the business because it just didn’t suit them. These conversations were all very difficult yet all of them from my venue, looking in, ended in smiles and laughter. The Gift. Often replicated, but never to be duplicated.
  
  There are so many Mary stories to share……the beach…..we definitely shared a common fondness for the beach and the calm that it brought in the midst of such a hectic work life, the football and basket ball games, road trips to associate offices where Mary would learn more about me during a second, third or 30thinterview, the recognition events we would plan together for Financial Advisors, the Palmetto Club bar, running out to get her another pair of hose because she ripped the pair she had on and needed them in 5 minutes for a meeting.
  
  It was time, about 2 years and few months later, for Mary and I to have the conversation that she had with most of her mentees…….”ok Lizzy, tell me what you want to do”. Once I got over the shock that she wasn’t going to be crushed that we weren’t working together any longer, we decided where my talents would flourish and she sent me on my way to spread my wings as she had done so many times before with so many of all ages. It was one of her most greatest gifts, to mentor and mold and release the talents that she had inspired to be leaders and mentors of their own, hopefully sharing and teaching others what they had learned from Mama.
  
  Mary and I were in touch many times after she sent me off to do great things and it was always so extra special to speak to her and catch her up on what I was doing and what I had accomplished. She still remembered names of my family members, and asked about each one. She was a loving, caring, sincere individual at all times. Our last conversation came on my 50th birthday. She called me at the beach to share her good wishes and we spoke longer this time than in the past; she was always rushing you know. It was a terrific conversation and I was so happy to have shared some time with her that day. A month later, she was gone. I was heartbroken. But then I think of Mary, strolling across the shabby chic creek house down on the marsh and yelling for me to make another round of mimosa’s. Then I smile.