MARY JO SCHREIMANN
5-13-33 - 6-6-03
As a child, Mary Jo had two things which would remain with her for the rest of her life: polio at the age of 19 months and a Boston Terrier. Both challenged her throughout her lifetime, one bringing pain, the other immense joy.
Mary Jo loved life and "NEVER QUIT"! During her high school years, she participated in sports and played the French Horn in the band. In May 1957, she graduated from St. Mary's School of Nursing in Kansas City, Missouri, having served as President of the Missouri State Nurses Association and Delegate to the International Council of Nurses in Rome, Italy. She continued in this career until 1959 when she entered the Religious of the Cenacle where she remained until 1967. It was then that she continued her education, completing her B.A. at St. Louis University and then her M.Ed. at the University of Missouri in 1971. From there, she continued to work in health related fields.
Mary Jo never forgot her first Boston Terrier. In 1973, she purchased "Jo's Tiny Darling". Tiny was her sidekick and the foundation of her continued love of the Boston Terrier. In the next twenty-nine years, she shared her love and home to sixteen Bostons and Ginger. In 1978, Beacon's was adopted as a kennel name by Mary Jo and Marian Sheehan. As each of the eighty plus puppies were born, Mary Jo would give them what they needed; tube feeding, burping, a lap to sit in, extra socialization, etc. etc. She was co-breeder of the 1991 Boston Terrier of the Year, CH Beacon's Do-Go Sunny of Sabe. Sunny would go onto achieve many other honors, and Mary Jo was proud of him. But those who knew her, knew that she was no more prouder of him than all of the other champions and nonchampions. She carried each one of them around with her, and hated to see them fo to their new homes............Always wanting the best for them. As time began to wear her body down, she would lovingly give them rides on her battery-operated cart. I'm not sure who was having more fun, the Bostons or Mary Jo. In all of life, Mary Jo lived fully. She loved playing her French Horn, enjoyed flowers, gardening, stained glass, antiquing, and so many things. On June 6, 2003, surrounded by friends, she died of cancer. It was one of the few times a Boston Terrier was not physically by her side..
Written by Marian Sheehan
Submitted by Peg Golden
1933 - 2003
On April 25 of 2004, the Boston Terrier world
lost a great ambassador. Early Friday morning, the day after the
National specialty in Frederick MD, Charles Stevenson suffered a massive
coronary and passed away. He was with friends in the hotel lobby waiting
for the airport shuttle. He was in his element that week, doing what he
loved with people he cared about. He had found the time to visit with most
everyone. He was tickled with his auction wins and with the antique bookends
he had found in Leesburg VA. He had a great time bragging about the senior
discount he had gotten.
The void Charles' death leaves resonates like the
proverbial pebble-in-the-pond, each ring separate but connected, each ring
claiming him as its own.
Charles was the core of so many organizations, so many
relationships. We've always recognized that. We realized his importance.
We talked about it. We shared it with him. It humbled him, which in turn
made us respect him more.
Charles was serving the last year of his term as vice
president of the BTCA. He was the hospitality host at the national specialty.
There to greet friends, old and new, he was handsome in his dark suit
and hat. He said he had to have a hat, because then the ladies would
give him more hugs. He collected hugs like a kid collects baseball cards,
recounting who had hugged him best and most often, always keeping score.
Charles was a hard worker. He was the go-to guy; the
man who had all the answers or knew who to ask. He took on as many tasks
as were asked of him, and then some. The members of the Boston Terrier
Club of Western Washington knew that all too well. He was a founding member,
serving as president for the first 21 years. After he finally was allowed
to step down, he continued as a board member. He acted as facilitator,
arbitrator and administrator. He tried to become a behind the scenes person,
but it didn't happen. His persona was just too familiar, too important. He
remained the heart of the club.
And so the void. It will take a lot to try to fill
it------a task that might never be accomplished. The BTCA and BTCWW are only
two clubs among many that will miss Charles immensely. He was president of
the Olympia Dog Fanciers Association. He served as vice president, long-time
show chairman and devoted member of the BTC of Portland, Oregon. He was a
long-time member of the local Maltese club, as well as the Orchid Society
and a bridge club. He was dedicated to the kids he taught and loyal to his
friends. He had four Bostons and a Maltese and was proud of them all.
He touched so many people. Each of us claimed him as
our own, and he claimed us.
Helen Johnson
John passed away recently after a long and successful show carrier with his beloved Bostons. John's family and many friends will miss his smiling face and loving disposition. His devotion to his Bostons was unlimited. John will be at our shows in spirit and in his Boston's legacy.
