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Remembering “Dancing Mary” With Love & A Special Video of Tom That TJI.com Dedicates To Her
Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
Mary Muratore passed away Monday night in a hospice in Las Vegas.
At 89 years of age she was a devoted fan whom Tom — based on his long experience with her — called “Dancing Mary.”
She fell and had surgery a few years ago and, again, during physical therapy. After that, she chose to stay home, enjoying hearing about Tom, listening to his music and watching DVDs. Those of us who were fortunate enough to live near her would bring her photos and videos and these were joined by some sent to her from around the country.
A Brooklyn native, Mary traveled across the USA and into Canada going to Tom’s shows. But, as she once told me, “I didn’t sit in the hotel. I saw things. I went out and saw the cities we visited. I had a good time.”
Indeed, Mary was until the end very sharp, always asking about a visitor’s work, family, and life in general. She loved to visit and loved to laugh.
The many, many other fans who knew and loved Mary recall traveling with her when she lived In Brooklyn and seeing her here after she moved to Las Vegas to be near her sister. She is always spoken of with love, warmth and respect and, when she went to shows, was always greeted with joy.
Tom was quite aware Mary was ill and he called her twice when she was hospitalized in the last two years. When he’d see fans whom he knew were her friends he’d always ask about her. Last month he sent an autographed photo to her. On it, he sent his love and wish that she’d get well soon.
Click here to see the video and
Before I moved to Las Vegas I “met” Mary by phone, interviewing her for the very special tribute book fans who participated on JonesTheVoice.com did for the 40th anniversary of the recording of It’s Not Unusual in 1964. Here’s what she said:
“I’ve been a fan of Tom’s since 1965. As soon as I heard his music I said, ‘That’s the guy I love. I want to meet him and see his shows.’ It was the voice that did it for me at first. I decided to make the effort to join fan clubs so I’d know where he was going to be.
“I found out he was going to be at the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, NJ. I went there to see him but I didn’t get to meet him until 1970 at the restaurant at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. That week, I had seen three of his shows at Caesars Palace. I approached him to sign a napkin and I told him I’d seen those shows and he was great and I hope he sings forever.
“From then on, the fan clubs always gave us the opportunity to go backstage because Mr. Lloyd Greenfield would arrange for us to meet Tom.
“I went to Montreal in the early 1980s. I went backstage and there, in the room, were some drinking glasses and I knew he’d used one of them. I said, ‘Please, Tom, would you give me the glass you drank from?’ He went to get that glass for me. That is my pride and glory, that glass.
“I’ve found him to be the most concerned person for his fans. He is so wonderful to us.
“The name ‘Dancing Mary’ came from one incident. He saw me dancing one night at a disco near Buffalo, New York. He was with friends and as I stopped, he said, ‘Oh, you’re a good dancer.’ Back then, he didn’t know my name. I said, ‘Oh, yes, Tom. I love to dance like you love to dance.’ The evening ended and we left.
About four months later, in 1980, I was waiting with other fans for him in front of his hotel. As he came out of the limo he spotted me waiting and said to me, ‘Have you been dancing lately?’
“I said, ‘No, I’ve been waiting to dance with you.’ He said, ‘OK, let’s dance.’ And he began to dance with me. I said, ‘Oh, my God, Tom, you’re great.’
“Since then he’s called me ‘Dancing Mary.’
“He is gracious, personable and always very kind to his fans. He has always treated me with great respect. His voice is just out of this world and I always tell him when I say good-bye to him, ‘Keep singing, Tom.’
“I was 85 on July 1, 2004 and, Tom, you keep me young. I am your loving fan,
“Mary Muratore
Brooklyn (now Las Vegas)”
To remember Mary, here’s Tom singing the wonderful Seasons, a favorite of so many from 24 Hours and a very appropriate song on this occasion. Mary’s seasons were plentiful and she enriched so many seasons for so many friends. This is posted with love. (The video is from Albany, NY, February 26, 2009. Thanks so much to Donna for this.)
You’ll find it in the TJI.com Video Library.
The photos above were taken in March, 2005. In the photo at right, Mary is with Tom, Stacy and her partner Cook E. Jarr and Don.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:50 am
My deepest condolences go out to Mary ‘s family and friends. I’ve never met Mary but reading this entry sounds like this lady was full of life, love and joy. I’m sure she will be missed by all.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:49 am
I am very sad to hear this. My deepest sympathy to her and her family.
April 21st, 2009 at 4:46 am
My heart goes out to Mary’s family and friends. Goodbye “Dancing Mary” – a lady like you will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
April 21st, 2009 at 7:55 am
Ellen introduced me to this lovely lady in Las Vegas a couple of years ago, and I can tell you from the bottom of my heart, that she was one of the most charming and hilarious women I have ever met. She was sharp as a tack. Some of the things that would come out of her mouth (mostly her appreciation of Tom), would make me laugh (and blush)so hard that I had to cross my legs so as not to wet myself. I have wonderful memories of her. My condolences to her family and friends. Mary will dance in our hearts forever. Goodbye dear lady…you were truly one of a kind.
April 21st, 2009 at 8:57 am
Well, I actually knew “Dancing Mary”, but we on the East Coast knew her as “Shopping Bag Mary” [because she always had a bag full of gifts]. She was such a wonderful person and genuinely loved Tom no end. There was always a sparkle in her eyes when she spoke of him. I remember waiting backstage at Westbury Music Fair for Tom’s limo with her and quite a few other fans. I remember a few times when she stayed at Resorts International in Atlantic City with my friends and me. This was in the early eighties. In that shopping bag she always carried pictures of Tom, but also little thank you gifts for us for letting her stay in our room. Over the years I had heard that she moved to Las Vegas to be near her sister, and the last time I was there in 2005, I thought I saw her, but now i’m sure it was her. To me she will always be “Shopping Bag Mary.” May she rest in peace. My condolences to her family. Having Tom in her life, I’m sure she died happy.
April 21st, 2009 at 9:02 am
Ellen what a nice tribute to nice lady. Mary was a major Tom Jones fan and she loved Tom. She was truly a sweet person and always had a pleasant smile. My best to her family.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:07 am
I’m heartbroken…TJ lost a true fan and sweet Mary will be missed. Thanks Ellen for the loving rememberance.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:56 am
I NEVER KNEW HER BUT HEARD ONLY GOOD THINGS ABOUT HER. NICE TO KNOW THAT TOM APPRECIATED HER AND SHE APPRECIATED HIM. MY DEEPEST
SYMPATHY TO HER FAMILY AND THOSE WHO KNEW HER WELL
April 21st, 2009 at 11:00 am
Her sister called me about an hour or two ago to tell me Mary was gone. What a loss that is to everybody who knew her. My sister Elaine worked with her in Manhattan many year ago. They had become the best of friends from then on (about 33 – 34 years of friendship). She became like a member of our family. Lately I started calling her Aunt Mary and I meant it with all my heart.
My sister died February 28, 2009 (before Mary did) at the age of 53. Mary was heartbroken, like all of us were, we all lost a wonderful person – we all lost a big piece of ourselves when Elaine died. I can’t believe that Mary is also gone now — only just short of two months later. I know that they are together again now. Elaine had missed her so much after she left Brooklyn for Las Vegas. They both missed each other tremendously.
God bless both of them and I know they are both dancing together in heaven — they both LOVED, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED to dance (and I do too). We had all gone dancing together many times — Mary, Elaine, my other sister Judy and me. As far as Tom Jones — I have never, ever met anyone who was a fan of anybody as much as she was a fan of Tom Jones. She really loved him to an extreme. My love and sympathy go out to Mary’s family and friends. We all lost a fantastic person — full of love and life. She will never be forgotten!!!
April 21st, 2009 at 11:01 am
I knew Mary many, many years ago when I lived on Long Island. She was always there at the back stage door of Westbury Music Fair with all of us girls. She was a happy, fun and sweet lady who loved Tom, like we do.
I am sorry to hear of her death. May she rest in peace. My deepest sympathy to her family and close friends.
Harriet, your name sounds familiar…maybe we knew each other at Westbury? I am glad you mentioned the
“shopping bag”…how right you are! I had forgotten that.
April 21st, 2009 at 1:01 pm
That’s my kind of a woman. Thanks for such a nice story, I feel like it got a deserved, happy ending. And that wonderful video of Seasons is in a perfect place right here.
April 21st, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Rosemary, I used to be with Gene and Carol Barbera, and Annette Cantore most of the time. I belonged to Annette’s fan club and to this day we still speak. The first time I saw Tom in concert was May 1980 at Westbury. I had gone to AC that summer to see him and shortly afterwards, met Annette and joined her club. When Tom came to Westbury in May 1981, I went backstage through Annette and Lloyd Greenfield to meet Tom. Your name does seem familiar too, but I can’t recall totally.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:13 pm
What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful lady, Ellen! I’m sorry that I never had the pleasure of meeting her. She was the ultimate fan. I’m glad she had the opportunity to meet Tom so many times and that he was so nice to her and showed such concern for her.
I believe that things happen for a reason and now I know that reason. My mother was also born in Brooklyn and loved to tell everyone so, although she lived upstate for over 40 years. She passed in 1995. I took that video on February 26, yet I didn’t manage to get it to you until just now. When you called to tell me about Mary, I knew that it was the right time and the video would be a fitting tribute.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:38 pm
So sorry to hear of “Dancin Mary’s” passing. Although I didn’t know her, I heard a lot about her. Beautiful article Ellen. My sympathies go out to her family and friend. She lived a full life, and with Tom in it I’m sure she was happy. Thank you Ellen.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Touching story.. My condolences to her family and friends!
April 21st, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I met Mary for the first time at Ceasar’s at Lake Tahoe. We had corressponded through the fan club that I had for Tom. We spent hours on that trip sharing Tom memories. That was when she still lived in Brooklyn. I was able to see a few shows with her in Vegas and we even caught up with Tom one night in a restaurant at the MGM. She was always so caring and interested in your family and the other things that you did. All the memories of the small gifts dhr loved to give and stories she liked to share have come flooding back at different times today. She is certainly one of the very special people that I knew because of Tom.
April 21st, 2009 at 5:31 pm
I never heard of this sweet lady, but condolences to her family & to all of you who knew her. She sounds wonderful. I’m so happy she got to spend time with Tom over the years and that he actually called her while she was sick! He’s so busy, yet took the time to do that; just one of the many reasons we all love him!
April 21st, 2009 at 7:47 pm
I was so lucky to have known Mary. The most kind-hearted person I have ever met. The last few years I was able to speak to Mary via phone. Anyone who would speak to Mary knows how hard it was to end a conversation without her saying “darlin’, god bless you” at least 10 times. I have so many wonderful memories. One of my favorites is when she, my mom and I went to Harrah’s to see Cook E. Jarr. This was about 10 years ago which would make Mary in her late 70′s. She would dance and dance like the energizer bunny!. I, on the other hand (barely 20 years old) would be out of breath with sore bunions! We shook our booties until the wee hours of the morning. Mary would always try to give me things, little trinkets, a piece of jewelry ect. She didn’t quite understand what a gift SHE was. One time, I remember going to her apartment. She pulled out all of her Tom memorabilia. She had tons! I recently spoke to her and she kept saying, “I haven’t give you a wedding gift yet!” I told her that the best thing she could do for me was to get better so I could see the “Dancing Mary” that I once knew.
Last weekend my husband and I went to Vegas on a vacation. I knew I wanted to see Mary one last time, not knowing the end would be so soon. I called Ellen and she and I headed to the hospital. Mary was not speaking. I like to believe that she knew I was there. I kissed her forehead and showed her that I loved her. I fumbled for my cell phone to find a Tom song. Ellen came to the rescue and was able to find Tom singing “At This Moment” (on video). A very appropriate song for “this very moment”. It was obvious that Mary was please by this. Her eyes were fixated on the small iphone screen and her legs were squiggling as if she was yet again,”Dancing Mary”.
When I got the call today I didn’t cry. I was stoic because I knew Mary would finally be at peace. Not until now, as I write this goodbye, tears streaming down my face do I realize the finality, the loss of such an amazing woman. Despite what anyone believes in terms of an after life, I know wherever Mary is she is beautiful and “dancing”.
April 21st, 2009 at 9:15 pm
May you dance with the angels Dancing Mary.
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:22 am
I was so sorry to hear about Mary. I met her once or twice and she was a legend among Tom fans! My prayers are with her friends and family.
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:27 am
What a beautiful story about a beautiful woman. I never met her but had heard about her being a fan of Tom Jones. I am happy that Tom took the time to reach out to one of his fans. This shows that he is a man of integrity and yes, one of the many reasons we all love him.
I know that she is dancing with the angels and probably singing Tom’s songs in Heaven. Hallelujah!
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:26 am
I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.
April 22nd, 2009 at 8:32 am
Well just reading this made me cry! Mary looks familiar to me, but I never met her. I use to go to Westbury a lot. “Dancing Mary” what an appropriate name and she loved life and loved our Tom. I think Tom was so wonderful to Mary calling her to wish her well. This really shows how Tom loves his fans. Seems Mary had a wonderful gift of showing love and making people laugh. Well “Dancing Mary” you are now dancing in Heaven. My prayers are with her family and friends. This was a beautiful tribute to a wonderful Tom Jones fan and the song “Seasons” so appropriate for “Dancing Mary” you truly will be missed!
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I’m very sorry to hear of the passing of Mary. Yes, we all stood for hours at the back door of Westbury Music Fair and told our Tom Stories. Those are times we will always remember. My prayers go out to her family. She was a wonderful woman.
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:30 pm
What a tribute to my DEAR FRIEND MARY!
Mary has been a friend to me for about 30 years and what a friend she was!!!
As I read all the beautiful words being said about Mary, I thought about how many lives she has touched in such a special way. She was a unique women, who loved life to its fullest.
I have never met anyone like her and I know I never will. I know first hand….what a dedicated caring friend she was. We spoke weekly and I will miss her terribly. So many of the stories above I can relate to in so many ways. It just shows what a genuine person she was to everyone.
My condolences & prayers are with Mary’s sister Jo. As sad as her passing is, I know she had a great & happy life and i’m grateful for that.
I’ll end this the same way Mary ended every phone conversation we had.
Bye babe….love ya….God Bless You…..love ya babe. (now that makes smile!!)
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:52 am
(Oh my goodness Beth… you wrote exactly was I was trying to write about the phone calls but couldn’t because it was when I started to cry…)
“Little Miss Mary Muratore” is what my family calls her but “little” only for how petite she was. Her heart and kindness were bigger then anyone could imagine! And yes, she always came bearing gifts… even when you went to her home for a visit she was trying to give you something before you left. (Shopping Bag Mary was great to hear about!) The greatest gift was just sitting with her, listening to her stories and hearing all the history she had to tell. The last time we got to visit Miss Mary was great… we got a chance to look through her photo albums and she told us some fascinating stories about her life and her “younger” years (She was always young at heart). Whenever someone I know got a chance to meet her they were forever asking about her… she was a very memorable person and will never be forgotten. At my wedding she danced the night away and afterwards we went to a Karaoke bar and she sang… Tom Jones of course! Everyone went crazy when she did, it was amazing! When I would talk to her on the phone… I too never knew when to hang up and I felt bad eventually doing so… “Bye Darling, God Bless, ok, Goodbye…” I will miss that!
This is not a time to be sad it’s a time to celebrate a wonderful woman, the great life she lead and the people who will forever be touched by Good ‘ol Dancing Mary.
May you now rest in peace Little Miss Mary! You will forever be in our hearts!!! We love you dearly!
Thank you Ellen for making such a great Memorial for Miss Mary.
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:33 am
Little Miss Mary Muratore is getting some well deserved rest and peace. What a lady! What a true inspiration to us all. She lived her healthy days to the fullest, and even being the biggest TJ fan ever I can’t help but hearing Frank Sanatra singing “My Way” in the background! She did it her way. Such a strong women to the very end. I remember Mary waiting for me to get off of work at 6am for me to bring her home after a Tom Jones show. She would see the show, do her stalking of TJ, maybe join me for breakfast around 2 or 3am, and then play the slots until I could take her home. She didn’t like the cab drivers because they would not wait for her to get in the apartment to make sure that there were no muggers or burglers waiting for her. You can take the girl out of New York, but you can’t take the New York out of the girl! In her mid 80′s she would fly up that set of stairs! She just amazed me truly! Her singing Tom Jones at karaoke… Oh, yes she did! She has left so many wonderful memories for myself and my daughters that we will treasure forever. She was one of the most kind, compassionate women that I have had the privledge to meet in my life. She was sometimes hard to be around for me as her personality reminded me so much of my own mother whom I’d lost a few years ago. Miss Mary please give Granny a big hug and kiss for me, and as at the end of your phone calls “Goodbye Sweetheart – Goodbye for now”. All my love to Jo, her family, and friends.
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I met Mary through my Mom, Lorraine Giordano. Mary’s world was Tom Jones. There wasn’t a time that Mary did not talk about Tom Jones. Mary and my mom always traveled to see Tom Jones. They shared his music together and really enjoyed themselves. Mary was always full of life, so thougtful and loved everyone. My entire family loved Mary. I hope she is now dancing with all the Angels.
April 23rd, 2009 at 2:56 pm
My dear friend Mary: this lady went straight to heaven. She called me 3/27 the last time I would ever talk with her; it’s a great void for me in my life. We had been friends for 10 years, visiting in Vegas and over the phone at least every 2 or 3 weeks. She would buy little gifts for my grand-daughter, who she never knew. Mary gave long sweet good-byes leaving you feeling like you were somebody!! Such as: “Give my love to your dear family. God bless you, darling. Love you, Babe…Chao” and so on. I feel very fortunate that I knew her. I will miss her laugh. She had a deep respect for Tom and his talent. Her home was a library of Toms’ career and shows. After he called her on the phone, she was over the moon!! My regards to her sister Jo for calling me after Mary passed. I won’t know who to call on Mother’s day this year.
April 24th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I am another one of Lorraine Giordano’s daughters. My mom and Mary were friends for a very long time. They traveled together so many times to see Tom Jones. When I first met Mary I could not believe such a small woman could have such a big heart. She was amazing, what energy and drive this woman had. We always enjoyed Mary’s company. My mother is so saddened by the loss of her dear friend. So for her and all you loving Tom Jones fans I just want to say that Mary will be sorely missed and I know she will never be forgotten.
April 25th, 2009 at 1:45 am
Thank you Ellen, and to all who shared your experience of “Dancing Mary.” As I read through the heartfelt comments,memories, praises, and feelings, I can only feel grateful for this website and the intimate connection it provides to all of us who so highly regard Tom Jones as a phenomenal artist and person. This is the first I have heard of this wonderful person, Little Mary — someone
I know I would have really liked and had a lot of fun with–singing and dancing and talking about Tom.
The Westbury in the ’80′s must have been the place to be for Tom Jones fans!! At least by everyone’s sharing, I got a taste of it. I feel and talk about Tom Jones’ passion and I think that we who care so much about him are drawn to that passion and share it with others in our own lives ( in our own ways).
I’m glad Tom and Mary were able to talk to each other at the end. It seems she touched so many people’s lives during her life, and now, by way of this storytelling/tribute, she continues to do so.
April 25th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Melodie: Thanks for your very kind words. It’s been a real privilege to give Mary’s many friends a public forum in which to remember her. And I know her sister and her many friends have enjoyed reading this.
I think the thing about Westbury is that Tom would play there for a week or so and, with tickets priced at $12 to begin with fans could see him often. In addition, there were several fan clubs on Long Island and in the region, so the fans got to know one another. Tom, too, clearly got to know his fans as, back in the day, there was a lot of access to him backstage. He has always appeared to enjoy his fans. I believe that’s an important factor in his lengthy career.
June 9th, 2009 at 8:27 am
I am saddened by the news of Dancing Mary. I remember the good times we had. She had more
energy that I did. I still have a photo of Mary and Tom dancing outside a hotel. My prayers
go out to her family. I made so many nice friends through Tom’s concerts. Even though I do
not keep in contact with them, I still remember the good times we had. If you have a chance
check me out. I am on facebook. Would love to get in touch with some of my old friends. I
posted some of my photos with Tom and onces of Tom performing on Stage.
I know God has prepared a place for Mary in Heaven. I know Heaven now has another great dancer.
Patty Santoro
July 13th, 2009 at 7:45 am
I knew Mary