Mary Elizabeth Morano Was Warm Island Spirit

Mary (Mebbit) Elizabeth Morano, after a courageous battle with cancer, died Dec. 18 in Boston.

Mebbit was born in New York city in 1959. While Meb maintained a passion for New York city, her true love was for the Vineyard. She began summering on the Island during her childhood. Between studies and travel, Meb always returned to the Vineyard.

Throughout her life, Meb found magic: she loved art and sailing and skied whenever she could. Meb gardened with a passion to cook from her labors, all the while watching for birds. The tennis court became a place for Meb to find herself and her friends, as was her book club and the "beach gang."

In 1996, Mebbit and Charlie were married, soon to be joined by young Charlie and Mary Rose. As a loving wife and mother, Meb devoted herself to her family. With a keen eye and a gentle touch, she nurtured through a grave illness, teaching pride and strength.

There are many people whose lives have been touched by Mary Elizabeth. Survivors besides her husband and children include her parents, Fred Burrell of Nyack, N.Y., and Mary Nichols of Vineyard Haven; her siblings, Amanda of Aquinnah and Sam of New York, N.Y.; Mildred Morano, Charlie's mom; aunts, uncles and cousins; nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends and neighbors.

At peace with herself in the end, the world is a brighter place because of Meb. Her sense of joy will remain with us always.

Donations can be made to the Mebbit Morano Scholarship for Outstanding Tennis-Playing Student Athletes, P.O. Box 1509, Edgartown, MA 02539.