Comments on: Remembering “Dancing Mary” With Love & A Special Video of Tom That TJI.com Dedicates To Her

By: lisagauthier

lisagauthier — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:45:03 +0000

I knew Mary

By: Patty Santoro

Patty Santoro — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:27:12 +0000

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

By: Moderator

Moderator — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:04:59 +0000

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.

By: Melodie

Melodie — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 08:45:46 +0000

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.

By: Judy Giordano-Banjany

Judy Giordano-Banjany — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:24:36 +0000

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.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:56:21 +0000

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.

By: Jolene Giordano Conoscenti

Jolene Giordano Conoscenti — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:24:11 +0000

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.

By: Melinda

Melinda — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:33:14 +0000

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.

By: Ariane, Arylynn, Kailee & Symantha

Ariane, Arylynn, Kailee & Symantha — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:52:38 +0000

(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.

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:30:34 +0000

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!!)