Mary Gentry's newest book tells stories to which we can all relate

Kathleen Anderson

When one reaches the third ‘30’ of life, a lot of living has taken place. When one’s family is lucky, stories, memories, and seemingly everyday events are recorded for posterity to enjoy long after one is gone.

In our case, Mary Gentry is still with us, living in Boston Harbor with her husband, Fred, and still actively committed to her volunteerism, community, and writing.

A retired attorney and teacher, Mary’s latest book is aptly titled "The Best is Yet to Be."

This book is a collection of essays portraying passages through life.  From health challenges to lessons learned and words to live by, Mary shares her past, present, and what she describes as “timeless” thoughts and memories in a way we can all relate to.

The book brings to life a woman who has spent most of her 80 years learning, growing, sharing and teaching – goals we can all strive to attain. After reading her book, the lesson I walked away with is how important it is to share the wealth…the wealth in this case being life experiences.

So often we see our own experiences as singular, unimportant or even dull because they seem so ordinary. But as Mary’s essays point out, we are more alike than different by the time we reach our maturity.

Mary Gentry, author of The Best is Yet to Be

Along with her writing, Mary Gentry has worked with the Les Bailey Writers Series at Saint Martin’s University and Nisqually Land Trust, just to name a couple. She initially joined the Saint Martin’s board, where she served for nearly 25 years, embodying her unique trifecta at the time: an alumnus, a woman – this was many years ago when such things were rare – and pregnant. She now helps with the annual Writers Series and the talented guests they bring with the program.

Working with the Nisqually Land Trust “was a wonderful experience for me,” Gentry says. For her recent 80th birthday, she organized a fundraiser called “Roots in the Ground,” also chosen for an OlyFed Two Cent Campaign. Through this event, family, friends, and fans raised money and then gathered to plant indigenous species of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers in Land Trust greenspaces.

More than 200 volunteers planted over 3,000 new roots to enhance shoreline habitat.

In addition to her other activities, Mary is happy to attend “book parties,” which she describes as similar to a Tupperware party. You invite your friends over for coffee and a book signing, but instead of plasticware, you can buy a book.

Actually, you can buy more than one. Other titles written by Mary are  "Too Far from the Tree" and "Quite Contrary.” 

Beautiful cover and inside art by Mimi Williams 

All of Mary’s books feature artwork by Mimi Williams and can be found on this website, in local bookstores, libraries, and on Amazon.

Her book’s illustrator, Mimi Williams is an Olympia, WA printmaker.  Her work is inspired by our community and the incredible beauty of the Pacific Northwest. 

She explains “My images are often narrative with the intention of connecting with the viewers, who in turn can find their own stories.” She works exclusively in linoleum cut block printing and you can find her art displayed at The Dancing Goats Espresso Bar located at 111 Market St NE Olympia.

For more information about Mimi Willams, click here.  

Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia.  Contact her at  kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below.