I hired Mary just as she graduated from college.   We became instant colleagues, collaborators, and friends for life.  Hardly a day goes by that I don’t think about her, talk with her, and laugh with her.  Our work over  a decade  (the Fairy Tale Trials)  lives on.  Her wry humor and deep insight permeates  every classic character, and a fresh new musical  version  is about to unfold.  Wish she was here to collaborate and celebrate .....can’t help thinking and believing she actually is !!  Love you Mary ! 

Martin Luther King Day, 2011.
  
The scintillating spirit that was Mary Beth Siewert Scruggs has left its home of 46-plus years. 
She has not only become her admirers, she still exists in her influence and her creations.

During its brief residence, her spirit did more than most to alert, liberate, create and delight.
She has obviously been promoted for excellence.

The loss is ours. 
Yet, we have our memories.

On August 28, 1963, Mary's mother, Pat, and I (and a few others) walked in D.C. with Martin Luther King in the â€œMarch on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.â€ 
 
I was finishing my first trimester of pregnancy with my daughter Lynne.
Only when we returned, did Pat learn she was pregnant with Mary Beth. 
In later years, each daughter could claim to have â€œmarched in utero.â€

Thus, this significant date appropriately closes one act of her soul's continuing drama with the echo of a leitmotif of action, creation and liberation.

In heaven there is a beautiful angel....Mary had a wonderful voice and a talent and passion for the arts....She was your sister and a daughther but most of all a good human being to alll....I am shocked by her passing and my prayers to her entire family....my blessings and love and support always....Chuck Hirsch and Family.....

I knew Mary as William's theatrical,  intelligent, happy mother. I was Williams first grade teacher and worked with Mary's mother, Pat Siewert at Stone Academy. 
I am brokenhearted to hear that this wonderful woman has passed. I send my love and condolences to Mary's family at this very difficult time.
With love- Rita Federman

I knew Mary when I was about age 3-7 and I never saw her after that time, since I moved.  When my mom told me that she had died, I felt a wave of sadness, like a light had just gone out.  The sadness was distinct in that I had not seen her for about 40 years.  I remember being at her apartment home in Chicago and our parents having dinner.  I remember being in her room with Mary and Katie and doing little shows for each other, laughing and changing roles with ease.  I remember excitement of getting to play and things being effortless and easy with her.  And I imagine from the posts and what I have read that this is who she was in life.  She clearly lived life out loud -- fully embraced this journey and touches as many other people as possible along the way.  I am sending my love and condolences to the family and those left behind whose hearts she helped to shape.  With love -

I went to Walt Disney Magnet School with Maribeth, and remember her as the funniest kid I ever knew. She used to write plays and we would fight each other to be cast in a Siewert Production. I still remember getting to act in her famous 5th grade,"Jason and the Argonauts" production. I'm so sad, and I'm so sorry for the loss of such a talented and wonderful person.

There is a nice bit about Mary being a Second City writer in the Trib.  Her son and my son both play the saxophone.  Very sad.  We will keep you in our prayers and thoughts.  Peace.  -angel and chris

OBITUARY

Mary Siewert Scruggs

April 16, 1964 – January 12, 2011

Drake & Son Funeral Home

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