Category Archives: Death of the Famous

Grieving For HRH Queen Elizabeth II | The Mary Mac Show

There are only a handful of experiences in one’s life that we would consider significantly important.

And the death of the United Kingdom’s Her Royal Highness, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, is one of them.

While I’m not a citizen of the UK, my family heritage touches Scotland and Ireland and I feel a great affinity to the people of the UK and its monarch.

I’ve studied British History since I was a youngster having read countless biographies, watched documentaries and followed its good and not so good history.

Last year I created a commemorative episode to honor HRH Prince Philip after he died just shy of his 100th birthday. Ironically, he died on my birthday and I spent hours watching the tributes online and on television.

When his custom-made Range Rover was being driven to pick up his casket for the service, I was overcome by the beautiful music that the military band was playing. Here is a snapshot of when they played “I Vow to Thee, My Country” a beautifully solemn hymn:

And here is the episode I created when he passed on and the corresponding blog:

But on Thursday evening, 8th of September 2022, Her Majesty went on to be with her beloved husband almost one and one-half years after his death.

Only two days before, on Tuesday, she welcomed her 15th Prime Minister, Winston Churchill having been her first.

This week, in Episode 146, I remember HRH Queen Elizabeth II and the 96 years she graced this earth and the over 70 years she reigned and wore the Crown.

Her grieving four children, eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren will forever remember her. And we send our condolences on the death of such a remarkable lady.

We also acknowledge all the citizens of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth Realms who loved her especially those who served her in all capacities during her reign.

You, too, feel the loss and you should always recognize that your sadness is legitimate and honored.

A perfect testament is just by watching the crowds and how they waited to walk past her casket in Scotland and again in London. All the people who lined the streets and waited in line for nearly a day to enter into Westminster Hall to witness history.

My memory of the Queen was back in 1977 when I was fortunate to have visited London with my parents for her Silver Jubilee. We had gone to the theatre one evening and the cab driver pointed out that if we walked down the block, the queen would be coming out after the opera and we might catch a glimpse of her.

My father lifted my camera, and just kept clicking when her car slowly drove by and to our surprise when we returned home, we had gotten a perfect shot of her. I still have that photo and cherish it.

The lights were on in the car so everyone could see her and Prince Philip. She looked so beautiful, waving to everyone.

Another touching tribute was from Paddington Bear on her Platinum Jubilee earlier this year. When he said “Thank you for Everything”, well I was so overwhelmed because at 96 we really didn’t know how many more years we would have with her.

Take a look:

To everyone who is grieving the loss of a Monarch, Mother, Grandmother, GreatGrandmother and Friend, we send you our sympathies and love.

And to the new King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort we acknowledge a new reign and wish the very best to you.

A look at Her Majesty’s life:

Her funeral will be tomorrow, Monday 19th September 2022 at 11am British Time, 6am Eastern Time in the US. I will be watching with you.

Bless you, my friend,

xoxo

The Mary Mac Show | Remembering Betty White and Others

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 111, we remember Betty White who died 17 days before her 100th birthday and others who died in 2021 who impacted us.

Tomorrow, January 17th, 2022 would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday!

An icon on film and television, she was an amazing individual whom we never thought would die ‘so soon’.

She was born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1922 and a year later her parents moved to the Los Angeles area where they beared the Great Depression from 1929 through the 1930s.

In 1949 after World War II, she started her career and spent the next 80 years providing entertainment for her fans.

She worked in daytime talk show for 5 1/2 hours each day for 6 days a week on a live show from Hollywood.

In 1952 she had her own show, Life With Elizabeth and became of the first woman producers in the business.

She also loved appearing in game shows and eventually met and married her husband, Allen Ludden who was the host of Password. They married in 1963, were together 18 years until his death at 63, in 1981. She never remarried, saying that he was her best.

She went on to earn 21 Emmy nominations and 5 Emmy awards, 2 for her portrayal of Sueanne Nevins in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”

She also portrayed Rose Nylin in the long running series “The Golden Girls.”

In 1988 she even did a Saturday Night Live episode where she won her 5th Emmy.

Later she would appear in “Hot in Cleveland” and the movie “The Proposal” with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.

She was also a great lover of animals and contributed unselfishly to their care.

In additional to Betty White, we look at others who passed away in 2021:

January 23, 2021 – Larry King died at 87. Phenomenal interviewer of thousands of world leaders, influential individuals and celebrities.

February 5, 2021 – Christopher Plummer at age 91. His iconic role as Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music alongside Julie Andrews is, by far, one of the most memorable films.

April 9, 2021 – His Royal Highness Prince Philip of the United Kingdom at the age of 99, just 2 months from his 100 birthday on June 10, 2021. Longest running consort to a queen, his wife, Her Royal Highness, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Regina II.

May 1, 2021 – Olympia Dukakis at the age of 89. Amazing actress of stage and film, to me her most memorable appearances were in Moon Struck and Steel Magnolias.

June 6, 2021 – Clarence Williams III actor of theatre and television, best known as his portrayal of Link Hayes in the detective drama Mod Squad.

For more of Betty White’s career, please visit here.

And if you’d like to watch the documentary that was developed to celebrate her 100th Birthday, please go here to purchase tickets in a theatre near you tomorrow, Monday, January 17th, 2022!

The Mary Mac Show | Remembering HRH The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh

The Mary Mac Show Podcast

In Episode 72, we share the life of HRH the Prince Philip, his devotion to HRH The Queen Elizabeth II, who was married for 73 years and died on April 9, 2021 at age 99, two months shy of his 100th birthday. We also discuss widowhood and its affect on the Queen as she approaches her 95th Birthday only a few days after her husband’s funeral and burial.

Prince Philip was the longest consult to any monarch with 68 years of service to her majesty Queen Elizabeth II. During that time he renounced military service which he loved to be by her side as she carried out her duties as United Kingdom’s monarch.

Here are some lovely photos of their great love:

There are many wonderful documentaries and videos on the life of Prince Philip here. I believe you will enjoy them.

Our sincere condolences to Her Majesty HRH Queen Elizabeth II, her four children, 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

And we acknowledge the millions of people in the United Kingdom and around the world whose lives he touched.

xoxo