| |||||||||
 |
A STAR has been extinguished at Portico. Our dear beloved MARY HALL-BURNETT passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 25, 2009. Mary was everything that is good in life and this is a tremendous loss for our Portico family. Mary started with Portico in March 1998 and was TOP DOG seven of her ten years with Portico. Words cannot truly describe the beautiful person that was Mary but we would like you each to remember her as we do.
.
Mary was well loved by her co-workers, vendors and customers and we would like to share the following remembrances of Mary with everyone who loved her so dearly. If you would like to add a memory of Mary please e-mail to randa@porticocollection.com and we will post it. The Portico Girls chose to remember Mary in the manner that she lived. Mary would have been the first person to say put on your big girl panties and deal....so that is what we did. We spent the day of her funeral laughing, crying and telling storiies of how Mary impacted our lives.
We are saddened by the news of Mary's death. But, I am sure she is at peace and smiling down on us all. It is strange- I have been thinking about her lately....mainly because I need to place an order w/her. But she has been in my thoughts none the less. Thank you for sharing this with us. Kyra Quenan - Quenan's, Georgetown, Texas Thank you so very much for sharing. I am so sad to hear this. Mary literally "just" visited our area. I had met her in the showroom...but it was the first time she had been to my store. I was so excited to have such knowledgable rep!! Very good suggestions and assessment of what would work well in my location, etc. My condolences to all of you who worked with her everyday. Once again,thank you for sharing this sad news...my prayers are with you all. I don't even know where to begin. I know when I started with Portico Mary had outstretched arms as all of you did. She made me feel so comfortable and part of the family right away. She was always so eager and willing to explain things and help in anyway she could. Mary was our "mother" and she brought such experience and wisdom to our group! We are so fortunate that we are as close as we are to one another and all of us will be there for each other during this difficult time. During this tragic time we will all celebrate her fabulous life and the unique way in which she touched each and every one of us. I do not say this lightly: you all are my extended family and I am so gratefully to have all of you in my life. God Bless. Much Love, Whitney - Portico Girl Dear Randa, I am so sorry. I loved working with Mary. She was so sweet and caring. Not like most reps. I will truly miss her smiling face. Was she sick? If she was, she never let on or complained. I would never have known it. Thanks for letting me know. I will keep you, your staff and her family in my prayers. Sincerely, Debby Columbus A Promise to Mary All of us here at Bungalow are very saddened by this unfortunate news. We are beaming our positive energy and prayers to the star of Texas & all of the Portico Family. Be strong girlfriends! I am sooo sorry to hear about Mary. I talked to her a few weeks ago. God bless her family & friends. Carol Gilcrease, Charlottes in El Paso. Girlfriends, I'm still at a loss for words ...I've read over everyone's sweet e-mails earlier and every word is so true of Mary. It is so heartbreaking to lose such a wonderful person in this messed up world today. She was such a ray of sunshine for all of us. I'm looking forward to celebrating her life with our Portico family. This is a tremendous loss for Portico. We all loved Mary so dearly and I know we will have a great show in June with her there in spirit! We plan to celebrate her life and push ourselves a little harder just like Mary would do! Love and Blessings to everyone! Cheryl Carrio, Portico Girl I am so sorry to hear this. Our hearts go out to everyone at Portico and to Mary’s family, My heart is so heavy. I am so sorry to hear this. Both her family and her Portico family are in my prayers. Christine Burger, Noodle and Boo We are so thankful to have had the opportunity to get to know Mary. We always appreciated her enthusiasm! Know that each of you ladies in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. AQUIESSE will miss Mary dearly! Cori Cibulskis Dear Dee, Thank you for calling to give me the sad news of Mary's death. I share with you and her friends at Portico a deep feeling of loss. I once wrote of Mary, "from the beginning she consistently exhibited the high level of professionalism and dedication that every sales organization aspires to find in a sales associate. She is a lady of great talent and skill and high quality of character. Our industry is a "people" industry and it is people like Mary Hall who make me personally very proud to have been a part of it." Warm and comforting thoughts go out to her family and all who loved her. Sincerely, Don Thomley, Former Portico Manager Dear Sisters, Whitney's words are perfect. As I told Randa and others today, Mary was my personal beacon at Portico. I often thought to myself "Donna you can do this, just watch Mary and follow her bright light and that's all you have to do". She represented a great deal to me in the short year that I got to be in her company; being a wife who adores her husband, a mom who cherishes her children & especially a grandmother who listens for the special ring tone urging Mimi to "pick up the phone" at all times of the day or night. She was everyone's mother and such a gentle mother at that. I usually was the "mom" with my past co-workers so it was a special treat to have a mom for me now! So yes, it was just a year but I assure you my heart is broken too. Just as Whitney said, she made sure her arms were around you and as petite as she was it felt like arms of a giant. She would email or call often just to say hello and share the love of a sister to a sister. Wow-she will sorely be missed by each and every one of us. How difficult it is to imagine the showroom without our Mary...how very sad this day is for all of us. I wish we could all be together today to hold each other and just sit and reflect on such special memories of Mary. Be still my heart...and yours. Donna Singer, Portico Girl Uncharacteristically speechless am I - this news is such a huge shock. I echo the sentiments of Whitney and especially Donna - because Mary embraced me immediately at Portico as well and was always there to help me get off to the best start possible. Basically otherwise I am at a loss for the right words. I am sure we will ALL miss Mary intensely. How very sad. Very sad. Sorry to hear this news. Our thoughts are with you and her family. Eric Leddel, The Box Girls I just can't believe it. I am so shocked and saddened. This just can't be! When you get a chance please let me know what happened to our dear Mary! What a true loss to so many people!! Debbie Stumps, Forever a Portico Girl To all at Portico - We are so sorry to get this devastating news. Our hearts are with with you. Much love from us all at French Bull. Jackie Shapiro Oh my gosh. I loved Mary so much! I just emailed Kelly Saturday that I hadn't heard from Mary yet because she was to be my new rep. She was my rep many years at Radko and we went through a fire together in that showroom. We all loved her here at 4 Corners and can't even imagine your sadness at her death. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at Portico. I met Mary through my work w/Judy Ehrke at 4 Corners in Brownwood, Tx. One memorial event was when we were at Market and the Radko showroom had just extinguished a fire. Mary was pretty strung out due to the possible consequences of the could haves.... Mary was always a joy to visit w/at Market regardless of the showroom she was in. Thinking of you during this difficult time. With warm thoughts and memories of Mary's smile and eagerness to embrace life. Gary Eoff I am so sorry for this loss. In the short time we knew her, she was always so friendly. KA Brewer, Kudzu Kollection I was so sorry to hear about Mary and am sending my love and best thoughts to you and Dee and Tammy and everyone in the Portico family. Let us know if we can be of any help to you. Warmest regards, Kathy Normand, The Mix Thanks for letting us know about Mary…She was wonderful, sweet and always so helpful, both as a sales person and Vendor when I worked with you all with Hedges and Earth Elements. Randa, Our thoughts are with you and your girls today. I hope the funeral tomorrow is very special and a great memorial for Mary. "When you are sorrowful, look again in your heard and you shall see in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." - Kahil Gibran Kirsten Sessions, Compendium I am so incredibly sorry to hear that, that is so sad. I hope the Portico family is ok. Best, Laura Harris, French Bull I am so very sorry for your and Portico's loss. Mary was always very sweet to me on the phone. Unfortunately I never had the chance to meet her and that saddens my heart. If anyone needs anything please know we are all here for you... Again my deepest sympathy! Warmest regards, Liz Ribera AQUIESSE Randa, I am so saddened and shocked by this news. Your kind words brought me to tears this morning. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Portico gang and also her family. Dear ladies…. I am so very sorry to hear about Mary. I am in shock…I just couldn’t believe what I was reading. Again, I am truly sorry...Mary was such a dear person and I just can’t believe this. I know this is a rough time for all of you and I just can’t image what you are going thru. Please know that I am praying for you, and I will continue to pray for comfort, understanding and peace. Please know that my prayers go out to her family as well. My sincere condolences, Mary - Do Not Disturb, Inc. Randa ... our hearts go out to Mary's family and the Portico family. That is a devestating loss for everyone who had the privledge of knowing her. Please know that our prayers are with all of you ... Michael Flynn, Compendium Dear Family, Mary was so Effervescent & True..we here at Pure feel very blessed to have been able to have known & worked with her. Our thoughts & prayers are with you. Tyler Deal and Everyone at Pure I join everyone as a former member of the family at Portico in sharing the loss of Mary.It is truly a shock. She will be missed! Mike Baker Former Portico Manager Hi Randa, such sad news, I am so sorry. Mary was a lovely lady and a star! Best - Pam Campbell, America Retold Horrible news. I am truly sorry for your loss, and that of all the Portico ladies. I pray that Mary's husband, mother, children & grandchildren will be comforted.Peter Kertesz, Murval Oh, Randa. I am so sorry to hear about this. What a horrible loss. Mary was just the sweetest person. Your email is perfectly worded - she was a true STAR on every level. I can't believe it. Life is too short. My deepest condolences to you, her immediate family, and all the wonderful Portico crew. Priscilla Ahrens I am so sorry for your loss. Mary was just at my store a couple of weeks ago and she was just the sweetest! I am new to retail and she was very helpful and had very kind words to say to me. I will miss her dearly. Shawna Hanks We were deeply saddened to have learned of Mary's untimely passing on Saturday. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Burnett Family and our prayers are with them in this very difficult moment. With a very chagrined heart, Tepper Jackson We were deeply saddened to have learned of Mary's untimely passing. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies and loving arms to her family and friends. We knew Mary in working with her in the retail industry for many years, but with her warmth and humor along with a loving spirit, we got to know something of you through her. We share in your grief and send our heartfelt condolences. Gamblin Girls - Anne Bates & Marion Goudeau - Midland, Texas Dear Dee and Randa and The Portico Family Past & Present: I am so sorry to hear this news. My heart is heavy, too, and I feel this great loss with you. I have such fond memories of Mary – her work ethic – and the person I remember her to be – and her soft spoken manner. Please know that I will be thinking of you all tomorrow as you remember Mary. My thoughts and prayers are with you, for Mary. Sincerely, Sally Sloan, Forever Portico Girl I was as surprised as I’m sure all of you were. Mary was such a wonderful person. She was always pleasant, professional and a great team player. I know all of you will miss her terribly. It seems like you were very close to her. Please let me know if I can lend any support whatsoever. I was so sorry and sad to read your email. I actually had a 10:00 appointment with Mary this morning and thought she was just running late because of the rain - so heartbroken to learn of the real reason. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! Stacey, Smartie Pantz We are very sorry for you loss. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the familyTina M Zillmann, Skin Rejuvenation Clinique Inc, San Antonio, Texas I'm just so, so sad .... She was very special. Vicki Gay, United Supermarkets So sad, thanks for letting everyone know. Yanell Rieder Dear Portico Family, I was so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. I know this is a horrible time for all of you as well as Mary’s family. Our hearts are with you, and we will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. May you all find peace, comfort and joy in her memory. Warmest regards, Mike Horn- AQUIESSE Mary was one of the most loving people I knew. Her love for life and her family was obvious to all who knew her. Her family will be in my prayers and thoughts.Brandon Moran I was shocked and saddened to hear of Mary's death. I have known and loved her for many years, we worked together not only at church but in her business in Austin, and later as she became a rep for a company I did business with. Her sweet spirit was always so infectious and she just always made you smile and see the positive side of life. Phillip and Jason our love and sympathy to you both you were blessed with a beautiful Mom and I know she was so proud of you both and your families. Our love to you both Mike and Dana Dorsey You will be missed, Mary. You enriched my life soooo much the years working with you at Portico in Dallas. I will miss you more than words can tell. Now, I can truly say I knew an angel. Comfort, peace and love to Mary's husband and family.KIrk Knowles, The Portico Guy I'm so sorry for your loss. My sister, Mother, and I ,will truly miss her. We met Mary through our retail bussiness, LIZ'S LINENS, in Odessa,first as our Christopher Radko Rep., and then with Portico. We never missed stopping in to see her at the Dallas Market. We knew her as bubbly energetic person, very knowledgeable and fun to work with. We considered her our friend. Her family & friends are in our prayers. Marta Johnson, Liz's Linens, Odessa, Texas We enjoyed working with Mary for many years and always looked forward to seeing her at markets. Always a smile and always there to help. May our love surround all of you. She will be greatly missed. Leslie, Page, Sadie, Lesley, Linda, Tracy, & Dru - Barn White Girls I was so sad to hear the news that Mary had passed away. My deepest condolences to her family, friends and her Portico Family. The words you shared with us about her, describe a very special person who brought so much joy to those around her. Someone whose wonderful spirit and energy will live on through all of those who loved her. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Ivy Weitzman, Touch of Ivy | ||
In Loving Memory
Mary Hall-Burnett
We traveled in mass to Mary's service and wore Tiaras all day in celebration of the person that was Mary Hall-Burnett. So here is a picture of us in our Tiaras and Sunglasses after the service. Mary was in our lives for too short a time but her memory will live forever at Portico. Our lives will be forever changed - Love, The Portico Girls (otherwise known as the Sisterhood of the Traveling Tiaras) Dee, Randa, Tammy, Cheryl, Christine, Donna, Fran, Jan, Kelly, Ramona, Whitney and Margie!
