A February / March 2005 bh From the Ground Up Mary Beth Doyle n1961-2004 In B es EU at es wd Mary GA ad Dea ae tag LSS Ole Tle nel tl een eee Dc uke ht) aera ets] elec oe aes itest} Preeti: Sloe Ae eae Progressive environmental news The official publication of from southeast Michigan the Ecology CenterFrom the Ground Up anaacy | February 2005 (Volume XXXVHL No. 1) ‘rm sbeGrewd (ps poblaed beni by theology Cente 117. Dvn, An Aor, MLSBID4 (PH) 761-316 fx 3D ORAL | nesecocere ong center rg | | Opinions expesed inarcesaethoweoftte | | suber and do ot necessity eet views of) the Flog Center. | “The Beoogy Centee works forajust nd heathy | environment rough grasses omarizing, advoctey,edaton, and demoastation pees. | Recyle Ann Arbors nonprofit subsidy of > the Bology Cente The Ecology Cena member ofthe Mchign Ensionmeatal Counel sant Ea share of Michigan, ‘Ecology Center Board of Directors: iil Gari Mar Haack, Roget en, May ta France, ree Nr, he Wall, si We rae eb Aa Wher Sa | See Wicnen, Dai Wage | logy Cate Stal ny Esp Sela | Fae vay capa Ma Gel | eEGuaar cafes Caih ByTk "Bag coer a en Ree Ned, | Fis Pose ie Sens Ba an ar | Boil Board Tae) Fstop, Sepianic Felden, Me Gate elf Gul | Baltor Tel syteser Contributors: Cariote Broly Nancy Broxbol, | Gary Butterick, Gary Coen, lus Davidson, | Dave Dempry, Keny Dove, Mice Dope, | Tracey Easope, Mice! Gard, jim Grenoble ‘Tauren King, Cae Ler, Feny Renming, | Mice Hurd Ride, Mark Ros, Bryony Schwan, ‘Crclyn Sep, Dick Siege Jack Spck, | Ja Sus Ted Sylvester, Stephanie Tescote | ayout and Design Hod Hun. | Reproduction af anes encouraged and © pesmison ot required unless the anil is | copmihied.Ackoowenent is ques, From the Growid (fp seces 600) members and reno the Broly Cater, | Display even accepted Mase cota fora genta sate ca We sere te sit ‘cs adhesin which cos withthe als ofthe clog Cente. | Postmaster: Pease sen aes changes to ‘Prom the Grad Up, Bogy Center, 117 N. Dison, dam Arbor, ML-ASI04, Proved on lhe eye paper with oy inks CONTEN Mary Beth Doyle © ESSAYS & TRIBUTES A Legacy of Courage, Hope and Joy By Michael Garfield State of Michigan “Special Tribute” To Stop Fighting Is Just Not an Option By Dave Dempsey “Return to Sender” By Mary Beth Doyle, et al. The Mary Beth Doyle PDBE Act “Someone's Crossing Over” By Dick Siegel CONDOLENCES By Charlotte Brody, Gary Cohen, Michelle Hurd Riddick, Claire O'Leary, Jerry Renning, Mark Rossi, Bryony Schwan, Self Surfs, Stephanie Trescott © PERSONAL REMEMBERANCES The Luckiest Brother in the World By Michael Doyle My Aunt Mary Beth By Kery'Doyle Mary Beth Falls in Love By Lauren Kingsley Letter to Mary Beth By Dick Siegel “Girlfriend” By Nancy Broxholm; “In Memory of Mary Beth Doyle” By Gerry Butterwick; “A Song for Mary Beth” By Laura Davidson; “Vinyl is a Gist’ Best Friend” Mary Beth Doyle, et al, “I See You in the Morning” By Jim Grenoble; “Who's That Girl” By Dick Siegel; “The Doyle” By Jack Spack Jr @ Science for the People Compiled by Tracey Easthope @ Huron Valley News By fed Sylvester Judge Orders Partial Dioxane Remediation ‘Wayne County News By Zed Sylvester DEQ Throws EDS a Curve At The Ecology Center By Mike Garfield, Carolyn Segalini, Ted Sylvester Score One for the Urban Environment; EC Director Elected Greenbelt Commission Chair; Tax Incentives Urged for Advanced Technology Vehicles; Pioneering Mercury Recycling Program Moves Forward; Profile ~ Patrick McLean, Mae Stevens rom the Ground Up + Febrary 7 March 2008,Dear Readers: To say that Mary Beth Doyle led an extraordinary life is an understatement. Itis our hope that by dedicating the better part of this newsletter to essays, articles, song lyrics, photographs, and poems about Mary Beth that we will do justice to her life story and bring honor to her memory. We also hope our efforts will bring some ‘measure of comfort to her family friends, and colleagues, while offering a touch of inspiration for those wholll carry on what she left behind - the ongoing grassroots ‘campaigns, the global effort for healthy com- munities and environmental justice, and her ‘overwhelming joy in doing what she did to ‘make the world a better place. Some of what you will read in these ages will make reference to Mary Beth’s ‘memorial service and wake held on Nov. 17 in Ann Arbor. That afternoon over 500 people filed the First Unitarian Universal- ist Church to celebrate Mary Beth's life with speeches, jokes, tears, music, and even danc- ing. Later that evening a wake was held at two downtown locations featuring non-stop ‘music, dancing, and eating, Colleagues trav- eled from both coasts and Canada, family from the East Coast, and friends from as far as England, to join the service and reception. In this special tribute, we're publishing a remembrance written by Michigan's long- time environmental leader and Mary Beth’s good friend, Dave Dempsey, along with several brief recollections from state and national environmental figures. We think many of you will also appreciate our special section of essays from family and friends, accompanied by original lyrics of several songs written to commemorate her life. And while our coverage is abbreviated in this issue, we are also including articles, news, and updates on the Ecology Center's current campaigns and issues. ‘Our work to protect the Earth - Mary Beth Doyle's work ~ continues with just as much urgency asit ever has, and we ask you to join us as we rededicate ourselves to the task in her name — and spirit! ~ Ted Sylvester, Editor A Legacy of Courage, Hope & Joy By Michael Garfield, Ecology Center Director On November 13, the world lost a great spirit, and the environmental movement lost a hero. My great friend, Mary Beth Doyle, the Ecology Center’s longtime environmental health campaigner, died that day in a tragic car accident. [ian Mary Beth Dope since 1993 when she fist came to ‘work with us at the Ecology Center. Like everyone else who knew har, I miss her dearly. Mary Beth was acentralfigurein virtually every major achievement of the last decade thatthe Ecology Center holds to its name. She helped shue down incinerators that no one thought would be stopped. She aided dozens of local communities thae were struggling to solve some of the worst environmental problems you can imagine. She helped get the State of Michigan to ban mercury thermometers, toughen its fish consumption advisories, and pass new laws to control out-of-state ‘waste, She was active in national coalitions to reduce the use of toxic ‘chemicals, and she was a leader in local campaigns here in Washtenaw ‘County to save land and address our environmental problems, ‘The list goes on and on. She was exceptionally talented. Her activ- ist vitae is spelled out beautifully in a proclamation written by Senator Liz Brater, and signed by Governor Jennifer Granholm, that we've printed in full on page 5. Instead of writing about her accomplish rom the Ground Up » Fibiny/ March 2005Mary Beth did her work like she lived her life — with courage, hope, and a gloriously infectious joy. ments, though, I'd like to ell you about the way she made things happen. ‘Mary Beth did her work like she lived her life—with courage, hope, and a gloriously infectious joy. Working for an environmental advocacy organization is a litde dif- ferent than other lines of work. You fight powerful interests; you work long hours; you take your share of verbal abuse; and you lose your share of bat- des. You dont eake on the world’s larg- cst corporations just because it’s your job, or with the hope of making a for- tune, Lots of people burn out quickly. Most dont stick with it long, Unless they/re lucky enough to work with someone like Mary Beth, who would insist, any time we were debating whether to do this campaign or that, this tactic or the other, that ‘whatever we do, it had better be fun! She would creat an EPA public hearing or a protest over air pollu tion asa party. And since she probably couldn't wear her party dress there, she wear a giant fish costume, or an enormous water droplet, or something clse to liver’ up the scene. When a waste dump developer told the Detroit Free Press that only “dumb housewives” were opposing his dump, Mary Beth dressed us all up as housewives co toxic Pea care er ae msrte picker the developers tony Oakland County neighborhood. ‘When the City of Toronto started sending trash to Michigan we collected thousands of protest letters and decided to deliver chem personally co the city’ ‘mayor, along with a bag or ewo of their trash, Wecalled itthe “Return to Sender ‘Trash Bash” tous, and che lights went on in her head. Within hours, she found four Elvis impersonators for the tour, and she'd re-written the song’slyrics (see page 7). She was so proud of her ant trash ditty that she got Alex Sergay, by day the Ecology Centers IT guy, and by niight a local rock-and-roller, to record our own CD. We sent it out to the press with notice ofthe tour and were thrilled to heat ic playing on Windsor’s CKLW as we started driving. Canadian Cus- toms hassled us over the garbage bags and the boxes of leters but when they found out what we were doing, they said, “Oh, weve been heating about you all day on the radio. Go ahead!” Mary Beth was hope-filled because she was filled with a humble confi- dence. Not a quiet confidence, because nothing she did was quiet, but « confi- dence that she would assert to us over and over again. No matter what the setback on a campaign, or event, she would implore us not to worry. She'd tell us: “Its gonna be great. It's gonna be great. Ie’ gonna be great.” 1 will miss hearing her say that so very much, ‘And more than anything else, Lam going to miss the enormous wellspring. of love and concern she showed me, our colleagues, and, I think, everyone she knew. Within the Ecology Center, and often within our statewide and national environmental networks, she would ask: “How can I help? What can T do2” In many ways, Mary Beth was cour heart and our soul. In what I believe isa portent of our triumphs to come, Mary Beth’s most recent achievement was completed seven. ‘weeks after her death. On Jan. 4, 2005, Governor Granholm signed bills that ban ewo dangerous flame retardants, and in a fitting touch, the new law was named after one of its leading propo- nents, Mary Beth Doyle (see page 8). Indeed, Mary Beth leaves us a legacy of achievement. She leaves us wonderful memories ~ a smile that stretched from ear to ear, a laugh you could hear four blocksaway, and avoice that spoke ewice as fastas anyone else in the Midwest. And finally, she leaves us ‘challenge to carry on with her work, and with her everlasting joy. ‘The world has lost a hero, but her lifeinstillsus with hope and inspiration for che future. Ecology Center Director Michael Garfield Rin ears Tow the Ground Op » obrary/ Mach 2005nt environmental advocates. Her professional career included positions with the peace, and the Ecology Center, where she worked for the past 12 years, most sntal Health Campaign Director. She died on November 13, 2004, from injuries tat the much too early age of 43. She worked with dozens of local communities throughout Michigan to conquer toxic |_Mary Bech was a strong voice for better environmental health protections in orked recently to enact egslation to ban brominated flame retardants. She helped organize ni tive briefings on clean production and ches ntal community's development of the Don't Trash Michigan campaign, which won ion to reduce landfilling of waste. | 1995, Mary Beth helped organize one of the country’s first conferences on endocrine d In 1999, she persuaded the first retailer in the country to stop selling children’s m toxic polyvinyl chloride. Recently, she helped organize a major conference on the cont 3g disabilities in children and environmental pollution. She was working wich the fofthe American Academy of Pediatrics o form an environmental health committee in worked with health groups, including the Endometriosis Assocation, the Learning Dis on, and the Breast Cancer Fund, on the environmental causes of disability and illness. asa leader in countless national and international coalitions as well as many local, protecting people from toxic substances. She recently worked on a nationwide eampai ‘ofhomes and offices to demonstrate the toxic components of everyday consume ncinerators, and she worked on a nation ‘treatment technologies. ‘widely known and respected by policy makers and regulators in Michign, amelie ity leaders chroughout the country. At the same time, she never took anythis seriously, and occasionally performed as a giant raindrop in skits done in area scho about water quality and conservation. Mary Beth is known for her contagious, posit sonality. She counted as friends musicians, artisans, professionals, and regular folks of She enjoyed kayaking, cross country skiing, swing, ap, and rock-and-roll d d gardening, We mourn her premature loss, while we celebrate her many accomplish«_ Je left the world a better place. TRIBUTE, Therefore, This document is signed and dedicated co hono! «life of Mary Beth Doyle. May her family know of our admiration and love fo Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor Elizabeth S. Brater, State Senator, The Eighteenth District Chris Kolb, State Representative, The Fifty Third District From the Ground Up » brary 7 Mach 2005,To Stop Fighting Is Just Not an Option ByDave Dempsey Some memories fade, like over-washed clothes, with time. Others are as vivid as the moment that inspired them. that’s the way I remember a night- time summer scene maybe five years ago. Walking out of one of Mary Beth Doyle's favorite Ann Arbor hang- outs, the Del Rio, she and I looked up to see fingers of lightning creeping silently across a high sky. No thunder, just lightning, “Dang,” she said, or words to that cffec, in the delighted unaffected tone of a child. “That's neat.” ‘Coming from someone else, the words might have seemed trite or phony. But if you knew Mary Beth, you knew she was unafraid to take the isk of being misunderstood. She spoke directly, genuinely, without affectation. As a friend or as an advocate, she was one ofthe most direct, unspoiled, undaunted people I've ever known. Tn that moment under the ‘Ann Arbor sky Mary Beth defined herselfin a way that her environ- ‘mental adversariesmay never have known her, but that her friends certainly did. In a word: wonder. She was always responsive to @ moment of wonder, whether in thenatural world, or the so-called human world we think of ourselves as ‘occupying. She spanned both worlds, telling me of che peace she found while kayaking on the Huron River, and the delight she found in tweaking and chal- lenging the arrogant assumptions of the ‘complacent in positions of power. T'm precry sure it was that wonder that kepther going, and kept her inspir- ing others to continue their struggles co bring a measure of environmental san- ity to Michigan and the world. When. those of us who knew her —and others ‘who knew her work ~are tempted after our loss of her to surrender to despair, i’ well that we keep in mind what she represented. ‘Two comments, one from a citi zen fighter who worked closely with hr, another from a gentle pediatrician with whom she teamed on one of her most important developing projects, help me keep my compass. i A eee Says Michelle Hurd Riddick “When we first met I ele as though we had known each other for a very long, time. What I admired besides her con- vietion was how comfortable she was in her own skin. She was s0 confident in her call for public health protection and for those withouta voice. She did it ‘with such humility and grace. In many ‘ways I think Mary Beth exemplified how we can win and showed us how we should fight. Armed with her example, weall know in our hearts to stop fight ing is just not an option.” Says Dr. William Weil: “She was a dynamic, innovative, enthusiastic, supportive and wonderfully warm person who gave of her own time and effort without limication. She was an individual wich remarkable national contacts who worked tirelessly on whatever was on her plate. She was a delightful person to work with, as she never tried to dominate but was always full of imaginative ideas and ‘ways to make things happen. I haven't enjoyed such a relationship for a long, long time.” oe ‘These two very different people saw a remarkably similar woman, And so did I. The Mary Beth I knew was a tolerant and unflagging friend, an egal- itarian to the marrow, an inextinguish- able spark of laughter and affection — and damned effective in her advocacy. Mary Beth used the ewin powers of persuasion and gentle intimidation to help the successful campaign to shut down the Henry Ford Hospital Medical Center toxic incinerator. She brought From the Ground Up + brary Mach 2008humor to the decade-long effort to thwart out-of-state trash by proposing the use of an Elvis Pres- ley look-alike for the “Return to Sender” visit to the State Capi- tol. She helped shame the Engler Administration into reinstating a fish-consumption advisory for women of childbearing age by having kids inscribe paper plates with fish pictures and send hem to the chief executive. Mary Beth's work will con- tinue to bear fruit, from the local to the state to the federal to the slobal level. Locally, her work to protect open space and green space in Ann Arbor will benefic generations to come. On the state level, her work to insticute the precau- tionary principle in state policy gov- cerning children’s environmental health will lead to the withdrawal or banning “Mary Beth exemplified how we can win and showed us how we should fight.” — Michelle Hurd Riddick of toxic lame retardants and harmful pesticides like lindane. Nationally, we can expect to see in our lifetimes a new approach — like one now taking hold in Europe ~ that will require the safety of chemicals to be shown before they can jeopardize the health of our bod- ies and minds. And globally, we will see dignity restored to victims of environ- ‘mental injustice from Bhopal, India, «0 our backyards. In this world there are ewo kinds of insignificance. There is the insig- nificance you feel while sitting in a big-city traffic jam, jerked to a stop on a remorseless platform of concrete or asphalt, stuck in one aucomobile among tens of thousands. That kind of insignificance crusheshopeand smoth- cers the pure joy of breathing, seeing, smelling, dreaming. ‘Then there is the insignificance you feel in’ the presence of nature's foe ees mysteries ~ the kind you feel while standing under a vast nighttime sky watching-a silent lightning display with a friend. In the wake of Mary Beth's passing, as I try to make sense of her life and our loss, I choose to feel that kind of comforting insignificance. She had a small but cherished place in this enormous universe, and she has a huge place in our hearts. ‘We may not know why shes gone, but we know why she was here: to help ‘make the world better. In that she suc~ ceeded, the way a fash of lightning made our night in Ann Arbor unfor- gettable. We may notsee her again, but ‘we will always have the memory and the example of how she lived and advo- cated — in recognition of life's wonder, and the urgent need to protect i. Dave Dempsey is former policy director of the Michigan Environmental Council, a role in which he worked closely with Mary Beth, He also served in the 1980s as environmental advisor t0 Governor James J. Blanchard and is currently a Great Lakes policy «advisor for Clean Water Action in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ‘om the Ground Up + bray] Mar 2005The Mary Beth Doyle PBDE Act Groundbreaking State Law to Ban Harmful Flame Retardants ©: Jan. 4,2005, Michigan became the fifth state in the country to prohibit che manufacture and sale of ‘two kinds of polybrominated dipheny! ethers (PBDEs). The Mary Beth Doyle PBDE Act was dedicated to the mem- ‘ory of one ofits leading advocates, and ‘was one ofthe last campaigns on which she had worked. PBDEs have been used since the 1970s as flame retardants in plastic and foam consumer products, pri- marily electronics, furnishings, and insulation. Structurally, PBDEs are very similar to polychlorinated biphe- ayls (PCBs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), which were also ‘once used as flame retardants and insulators. Both PCBs and PBBs are banned or severely restricted in most countries due to health and environ- mental effect. Health concerns about PBDEs cemerged in 1999 when Swedish scien- tists reported that levels ofthese chemi calsin human breast milk had increased 60-fold between 1972 and 1997, Sub- sequent studies found flame retardant levelsin American women to beas much as ten times higher than in Sweden and. doubling every five years. Adults and children are also exposed to the chemi- cals from meat and dairy foods, from house dust, and possibly from gases that vaporize from houschold products containing the flame retardants, These chemicals will persist in the bodies of children through adulthood. Toxicological data on PBDEs is still limited but the compounds have been implicated in developmental, reproductive, neurotoxicity and thy- roid effects in rats, mice, and fish, and ‘may be carcinogenic. “This is an important first step to protect Michigan residents from chemicals found in mother's milk and likely to be dangerous to people,” “Tracey Easthope, Environmental Health Director of the Ecology Center. “These chemicals can damage the thyroid and impair the cen- tral nervous sys- tem, and viable alternatives exist for most uses.” PBDEs have become ubiqui- tous in the en- vironment, and common house dust may be a leading route of ‘exposure, accor- ding to an ex ploratory study by researchers at the National In- stitute of Standards and Technology and the Environmental Protection ‘Agency. Recent studies by others have confirmed that PBDEs have been accu- mulating in human blood, fat tissue, and breast milk at accelerated rates in the lst few decades. ‘The NIST-EPA study surveyed 17 hhomes in the Washington, D.C. and (Charleston, S.C., areas and found high concentrationsofPBDEsinhousedust, ranging from 700 to 30,100 nano- grams per gram. Researchers analyzed. both floor dust and clothes-dryer lint for 22 variants of commercial PBDEs and found PBDEs in every sample. Interestingly, there was litle correla- tion between PBDE levels and the age of the dwelling or the number of foam cushions or appliances, but smaller dwellings tended towards higher con- centrations of the PBDEs commonly used in high-impact polystyrene for ‘TV and computer casings. Although the new study is limited, say researchers, it highlights the need to study house dust as the primary source of PBDE exposure. In particular, the authors notethatsmall children aremore atrisk than adults to dustexposuressince they are more prone to putting dusty hands and toys in their mouths. Public Acts 526 and 562 ban rwo kinds of PBDEs, penta-BDE and octa- BDE, but not a related “deca” form of the chemical. Environmentalists and public health advocates are urging leg- islators to move quickly against deca. “Now that these bills are law, the Legislature should move swiftly to complete investigation of the ‘deca’ Tom the Ground Up » ibary 7 March 2005,form and phase it out if studies confirm it also can ‘cause neurological damage, or breaks down in the ‘environment into the other banned forms,” said James Clif, Policy Director ofthe Michigan Environmental Council. “In order to protect public health, we need to switch quickly to alternative chemicals that do not pose health risks.” The following products usually contain the flame retardant: computers, television sets, mobile phones, electronics and electrical items, automotive equip- “Mary Beth would be pleased to know that the Governor started off the New Year by signing these bills into law.” — Tracey Easthope, Ecology Center Environmental Health Director ‘ment, construction materials, polyurethane foam mattresses, cushions, carpets, upholstered furnicure, and draperies, among others. ‘The Ecology Center has been campaigning for years to ban PBDEs and to test consumer goods ro urge man- uufacturers to reformulate their products. Mary Beth Doyle worked on the PBDE campaign, and for over a decade on the Ecology Center's Environmental Health Project with longtime colleague Tracey Easthope. “Mary Beth would be pleased co know that the Governor started off the New Year by signing these bills into lav,” said Easthope. “She would also be pleased to see the Legislature take up proposals phase out ‘deca,’ and to further address toxic chemicals that threaten the health of Michigan residents.” Assembled from press releases by Ecology Center staff es ee ee al years ago. It was inspired by the death of young man we knew When | was asked to sing it at Mary Beth's memorial | decided to change the lyrics to be appropriate for a woman's death. At first | was ‘reluctant to alter the song at aid it a i something in the change. But practicing it he's turned to she's and himis to hers I realize it was right and that Mary Beth became real to me as Isang it that way. [rom the Ground Up + ebrary / March 2005,Note: The Ecology Center wishes to acknowledge and thank everyone ‘for their heartfelt and thoughtful emails, faxes, and phone messages. his past summer at the Dow Chemical sharcholders meeting, Mary Beth and I were on the grassy knoll (thae’s where Dow and Midland PD confine the opposition) as Rashida and Champa from Bhopal, India, took up their perennial spots of protest. Mary Beth and I marveled ar the cour- age and strength of these two women, Little did Mary Beth know I viewed her through the same courageous lens. Let's all rejoice irr her life, her les- sons ... a noble woman indeed! — Michelle Hurd Riddick, Lone Tree Council, Saginaw, Mich. | Bad | oie Then I heard about Mary Beth's sudden death, I remembered again how precious good friends and good comrades are. We can make all the plans in the world, But then life has away of showing up unexpectedly. It is ‘good to remember the people we love and honor ... and tell them so. If each life is a flower, then Mary Beth wasa famingscarletzinnia, bright and vibrant and loudly displaying the beauty of life. We will sorely mis her. —Gary Cohen i cant believe it! Mary Beth was very a fight against out-of-state trash and for beter waste management and recycling in Michigan, As many of you recall, Elvis played a big part in the campaign against Toronto trash. ‘Mary Beth conceived of the idea and also rewrote the words to the Elvis hit, “Return co Sender” [see page 7]. She made working on the issue of garbage fun! Also she contributed her creativ- ity, her intelligence, and her energy to theissue completely behind the scenes. A lot of people have worked on this issue over the years, but Mary Beth was akey to the success that has taken place and you never saw her needing or ask- ing for any of the credit Mary Beth Doyle was the voice of the Ecology Center. Anyone who has called the Ecology Centeroverthe years has heard her voice on the voicemail. Tm hoping that we'll still atleast hear that voice for a long time to come. Tl miss you very much Mary Beth, — Jeff Surfus, NO WASTE didn’t know Mary Beth personally, but my one encounter with her made a lasting impression. I feel very sad- dened by this news. Back in January, maybe it was 02,1 attended a symposium offered by the U- M school of Public Health that focused con genetically engineered foods. U-M was erecting their new biotechnology building and the panel of presenters was loaded with pro-biotech heavy- ‘weights. There wasnt a single voice in the speaker lineup to truly represent the opposing point of view. For the feigned attempt, Peter Sandman, the risk management guru was there with allhis “impartiality” saying thac the risk of problems with GE. foods was real and that Biotech had gone about flood- ing the market with GE products in a rather stupid way leaving lots of room for ourrage from the public, but wich some improvement to their PR they could dampen the potential backlash. ‘The bulk of the participants in the audience were students. The morning session trudged forward with all the hoopla of a cheerleading squad. I say “qrudged” because those of us in the audience who could vocalize the oppo- sition were not given the opportunity tospeak. Lunch came and went and the auditorium predictably began to slowly ‘empty as many of the students left hav- ing put in an appearance and probably having many other things to do. Finally, finally the panel of speakers assembled. themselves on stage to take questions and give their predictable answers. The {questions from the remaining students reflected the effects of listening to the speakers all morning, This is great stuff, this genetic engineering of foods! The activists in the audience were feling al kinds of outrage! Tom the Ground Up * Febrary 7 Mach 2005‘Then Mary Beth stood up. She briefly addressed some of what the pan- clists had been saying, quite graciously, while publicly noting thac there were no voices for the opposition on the panel. Then she turned away from the stage and with mike in hand began to address the students. She was so eloquent, so smart, and so empathetic as to how this may impact them personally. She spoke directly to the issue without flinching, without disrespect for the speakers, but wich a solid and convincing slam- dunk argumenc that for anyone listen- ing would have brought about either significant doubr about the veracity of the earlier messages or the outrage that Sandman had warned of earlier. T was new co activism that day. ‘Mary Beth showed me what kind of activist I want to be. It’s a nice goal to keep stretching toward. 1 just wish that I could have scen her do that again — Claire O'Leary, Sierra Club, MOFFA, iM 1 can say is that if they have any vinyl siding in Heaven, God had better remove ic quickly — because Mary Beth is coming and she’s gonna’ be mad! ‘We miss you so much, Mary Beth Doyle! — Stephanie “Stacie” Trescott, Founder/Cacophonist, Jam Rag/ Green House eee eee Meese Hi sicng ere ‘at my desk barely able to see my computer through my tears. I'm so profoundly shocked and grief stricken by this terrible news. ‘What a terrible loss for the world, ‘My heart goes out toall of us who loved MB. She will be missed more than any of us will know. — Bryony Schwan Migzbetattt panned «Dei Piston gameposter-protestagainst ‘Toronto trash when the Toronto team ‘came to town a few years ago. We had such fun even though they made us take our signs back out to the ear. There weren't that many people obviously involved in che fight early ‘on. Mary Beth's persistence has paid off hasnt ie? She was one of my favorite people ever. We will need to work very hard to replace her energy, but we will never replace her total package! — Jerry Renning, MCATS Chair Devastated Lam, by the loss of Mary Beth, Yer I see her, laughing, dancing, singing, Jong into the night. Yer hear her, lets cut the shi, dont be so sentimental, just do the work. Yet I embrace her, irreverence, hopes springing high. So I continue, with her by my side. —Mark Rossi You know that dance step she did? ‘The one that was half Charleston, half tribal ritual? loved it when Mary Beth did that. ‘Totally original, coo well done to be dismissed I cant believe she’s gone. — Charlotte Brody, Health Care Without Harm Febrary / Mawch 2005rattled on about sunlight and mitochondria and bees, Mary Beth listened. thought digging a bad- ger out ofits hole was doable, Mary Beth grabbed a shovel. (Yes, wwe dug a badger out ofits hole) Iwas her big brother. Mary Beth Doyle took life seriously, which, of course, means joyously. She loved anyone and everyone who loved life too, What was unusual was the way she trusted the world. Mary Beth’ laugh defied cynicism, her dancing resisted despair How many big broth- ers want to grow up to become like theie wise younger sister? {could st quietly ina room with her my face warmed by the radiant sunshine she carried with her and orld lost when the family went shopping together "But | wasn't lost” When Mary Beth was 14,1 got into aI car chase - two vehicles against usin our Dodge Dart— one vehicle blocked the road, | stepped fon the gas and headed right for the ‘middle ofthat car ~ it budged (ese we be dead)...I powerslid through the streets - my youngest sister was screaming in fear, and Mary Beth had a hal-grin on her face, enjoying the understand grace.She never took _ ride. Marnie was screaming were anything for granted. When she was gonna die, and Mary Beth sald yes, younger, yes,some folks tried to hurt true enough, just not right now,She her children can be cruel She never understood cruelty, and never gave into it. Mary Beth spent much of her rmid-teens banging away hours at The Wiz in Long Branch, 2 pinball hall sitting ‘onthe lp ofthe Atlantic Ocean. She played like she walked ~a bit on her heels,with an Mary Beth's laugh defied earnestness that would make Dick —_ynicism, her dancing cens'Tiny Tim pause. She : ; was not particularly inter- resisted despair. How many ctedin beating you that big brothers want to grow was never her goal, but yp to become like their she always wanted to give : herbestefort-not sure _ Wiser younger sister? she knew what half-assed” meant After she played, trusted meso. And she was a crazy Sheld go wander by the (crazier) than me~ifshe werent my fcearis edge Mary Beth sisten.d have made her my Ife love Wanderedalot stopped or pined away missing her .but got Worrying about Mary Beth tobe her big brother Which makes wandering everywhere me matter. If that makes sense. (and nowhere) years ago, Hove Mary Beth ~ as so many when she regularly got do inall senses of the word. Mary Fron the Ground Up » Febuary March 2008| Rememberance Beth's love of the best in each one of us allowed her self to melt into others. She was fiercely indepen- dent but had grace enough to accept love from anyone who had love to offer. Again, this sounds, well, wrong, and would not work with anyone interested in power. She was not. She did not particu- larly worry about my happiness because | was a happy imbecile whenever | was within reach of her shadows. | think a lot of us got silly happy when she was around, Remember this when we gather (or rather dance) in her name. Solam still her big brother, and those who knew her know what I mean, and those who didn‘, well, part of me wants to shake you and shout Don't you get it?!" — but of course that would bea very un-Mary Beth like thing to do — because she knew, given a chance, anyone one of us was capable of "getting it” even the folks on the other side of the fence. What did I do to deserve her? Nothing, absolutely nothing. |am the luckiest brother in the world, ‘And you know what? She never analyzed why she made us so ridiculously happy ...that wasn't the point, not the point at all She was Ho-tei the protector of children, lover of lfe,a Zen master (though she was not a Buddhist ~ or maybe she was) ‘Most of all,she was our Mary Beth. Which was more than | ever deserved. | miss you." try not to be too terribly sad for too long. But !am not making any promises. — Michael Doyle My Aunt Mary Beth hat do you do when you are 22 and don't have any long-term career plans? This was the question ‘on my mind on my birthday, October 30th, when Aunt Mary Beth called to wish me well.| was in a hurry. My fellow 22-year-olds and | were running off toa Green Day concert, and after all, Aunt MB would always be there for a long chat. twas and still isa shock to find that that was not the case, Sometimes | feel sick at the thought that I never got to speak with her about just how 22-year-olds are supposed to navigate life, ‘That's when | pause to consider just how much Aunt Mary Beth has already taught me.| spent my entire early childhood surrounded by an infinitely fascinating cast of 20-some- things. Aunt Mary Beth would appear from time to time with foreign cur- rency, toys from halfway around the ‘world, Greenpeace bumper stickers, and stories that made faraway places like Pakistan and Sri Lanka sound as familiar to me as Pennsylvania or Delaware, She sent postcards and let- ters that sometimes asked me what I wanted to be when | grew up and other times described what it was like to mount a camel drunk. As the whole family got older, ‘Aunt Mary Beth became less a myste- rious super hero and more a real role ‘model. Her playful fashion sense and, Uncanny ability to find the really fun things in life gave me the confidence to navigate the treacherous waters of ‘middle and high school. She shared her politics and she shared her favor- ite bands. She took me to protest the inauguration and she tookme and the rest of the Doyle kids to fly anew kite or play skee ball. f Aunt Mary Beth had always had a good time being exactly who she was,then I could too. 0,5 | put on my eighth shirt ‘and third pair of socks and prepare to head out into the eleven-degree weather to canvass, | find myself wondering what the next step is for If Aunt Mary Beth had always had a good time being exactly who she was, then I could too. 22-year-old with no clear career plans. But even if don't know what the next step is yet, I do know that Fl have a good time wherever | am, that Ihave a clear set of personal values to guide me, and that, if nothing else, you can always buy great dresses at the Kiwanis for 50 cents. So, while I never did get to have that phone conversation with Aunt Mary Beth, and the email sitting in my inbox dated Nov. that con- tained her phone number still makes ‘me bite my lip,| have come to realize that Aunt Mary Beth and | were hav- ing a conversation about how to live a great life the whole time, = Kerry Doyle From the Goud Up » Febraary 7 Mach 2005‘DD: sPersonal Mary Beth Falls in Love F there were no dance events nearby, or if we just didn't feel like working too hard at having fun, Mary Beth would often drive out to our house and “hang out." The call might come late on a Saturday afternoon, or early in the evening: What was | doing? Did I feel like going anywhere? No? How ‘bout we watch a movie? She still had a couple shed gotten out of the ‘Ann Arbor Library but hadn't watched yet. Itwasn't routine of anything ~ MB was a lady with plenty of ‘options ~ but such nights did, I think, have a comforting regularity Deep down, she might have preferred to have a date, but deep down, | was just as happy she didn't Then came Keeney. We knew Dave Keeney through Jack's - my husband's - playing and singing with a bunch of bluegrass musicians who called themselves the Hillrays. Dave Keeney was a dobro player who | had pegged asa good “set up" for MB some- ‘time in the late summer of 2003. He was funny, relaxed, cute, single, and smart, But he lived way the hell out near Tecumseh, so while ‘most of the local music scene ran in packs near Ann Arbor, Keeney was relatively Scarce. But | remem- ber the Sunday night | got them sitting on the same bench in the window booth at the Old Town Tavern. | remember it not because (MB spilled red wine on someone's cashmere sweater (which became its own routine), but because it was the first time MB and Dave officially “met” and they were making each other laugh like old pals. 00000, | thought, this was good. Maybe we could get them together again somehow. ‘The sweater indicates that this would have been autumn or early winter. My next memory in this regard is of another Sunday night several weeks later the two of them leaning against the bar at the (Old Town, again laughing like kids. Ie was magic in its naturalness.1 was kicking everyone under the table, saying things lke, "See that? You think he likes her? You think she likes him?" Knowing MB, | was pretty sure of one thing: talking to Keeney was making her happy. Damn happy. ‘On Monday the phone rang:"How “pout that Keeney quy?"*Yeah," Isa “How bout him?” “Ukind of think he's swell she sai. *Yep."| said," think you're right” ‘And then it becomes, for me at least, some- thing of a blur.| know MB had to {go east for Christmas, which always annoyed us, but before she left there were an awful lot of phone ‘alls, sometimes twice a day.‘ really like this Keeney guy.""I got a crush cn that Dave Keeney.” By now they had started talking on the phone, getting to know each other more every day."l am having a great time talking to this Dave Keeney."“I got a big ol crush on that Keeney." told her to call me as much as she wanted, id never seen her so happy: | wanted to bask in it, knowing mberances how rare such blessings are. She ‘came home in time for a party we were having on the weekend after the New Year and called to tell me about the date she had with Keene to meet ahead of time and then come to the party, but stil driving their own cars. She outlined her policy of not“showing up with" im; she didn’t want anyone think ing they were“on a date” because that would generate too many ees questions, too much speculation ~ ll inappropriate in light of their status as frst-daters. Next memory is of them singing along with the ‘musicians in our kitchen, Mary Bet leaning into Dave's arms, harmoniy ing and laughing. They're practical ccheek-to-cheek. So much for peop. getting any ideas. "I just gotta say how much fun tim having with this Dave Keeney.” (On my birthday, Jack mistak- cenly invited the Hillrays over to play, Instead of booking reservations at ‘The Common Grill, but | sald no prol lem:|id invite MB over for my birthd, From the Gund Up + Rbvary/ Machand, gee, what a coincidence, Dave Keeney would be here, too. She came eatly, so did he. Some coincidence, So our Saturday nights watch- ing videos became history, but really, no one minded. She belonged with Dave Keeney. She wasn't the type to abandon anyone because of a new love, so | saw her (almost) often enough. That's because Mary Beth was, as our mutual friend, Joan Kau ‘man, put it, ubiquitous: no matter what event you were involved with, (MB was sure to show up. She was the best type of friend: faithful, level, truthful. And this was arother of her talents: she could spread herself without spreading herself thin, She didn't need to keep calling to tell me how she felt about him.tt was all out there. felt her happiness asif it were my own ~ hell it was my own, She knew that t00, had not found my ‘good man until this latein life, and that |, too, had gladly gone without if this kind of love was my reward, She knew she had a good one in that Dave Keeney guy, and that he felt the same about her. This past ‘year was the best of her life ~ how lucky we all were to see it, — Lauren Kingsley Letter to Mary Beth Doyle concerning her conspicuous absence from her wake Dear Mary Beth, ‘ou should have been there. In fact,1 kept looking for your face, each time reminding myself that, of ‘course, you couldn't make it. But, Mary Beth, you really should have. You would have loved it. So many of your friends were there. And, being the woman you are, the array of folks (your friends) Was wondrous, almost otherworldly We made our own music. ‘The music pounded. The dancing was ecstatic. There was more delicious food than could be eaten and any pettiness minor or major hhad been shoved aside, elbowed ‘out of the way through sheer force of joy and the awareness of how much we all needed and loved each other. No one wanted to stop because stopping would have meant that it ‘was over and noone wanted it to be over. ‘Ah, Mary Beth, there was so ‘much happiness and generosity, so much vibrant beauty and life there last night. You would have been utterly in your element, In fact, the only thing missing was you. — Dick Siegel From the Gioand Up + Fobra] March 2005Girlfriend been thinkin wed spend more time You with your guitar,me with mine Paying some tunes wth Chuck on the bass ‘Your oie was pretty a the smile on your face ‘oud sing your heart out and yout scat some lines Hang on some notes and sen cil own ny spine Singin’ “Cacles and Mussels"and “Red River Vale" “Hanke and Johnny and ofcourse" Bale” horus: ‘0h, yourlife was to short forme Mary Beth {gues your hear was too big ‘And you spit to fre —to hold you here just wish you were here stil =~ Mary Beth been thinking bout the food we had Your mized greens salad gaticbread Wettree atthe table taibout the day Sometime sofong barely time left to play ‘ou baked your frst apple pie with me ona-Macs and Spy-old fom yout love Keeney | was thinkin and hopin’ wel cook agin ‘Skip the canto yous coud stand Chorus | was impressed with your New York Times. Crossword rshed every morning by 9 am so serious; you ted to laugh You were smart and wit and mater of fat You were ito oseshut we both lovedtn dance Pay music cat bronnis and shop second hand The anc Fla The Town, Parts, and nit ight Gitiend, Oh itien you were sucha ght Chorus = Nancy Broxholm In Memory of Mary Beth Daye ‘She went to her mothe’ side and stayed with ert the end She loved to dance, she loved to laugh; ‘he was fighter anda find ‘eset anerampleo often tok the extra tine Her spit sts in our hearts and in our minds ‘Se used to volunteer a lpn any way she could ‘She worked hard to protec the earth and she dda word of good Injusta short time she changed aot for you and | ‘Se welcomed home to theland and sea and sky Gan yousee her dancing? Dancing through the night Dancing dancing with the northern ght ‘hd want us tough and sing and to always ry our best This world would be a happier pace it ‘we could e more ke Mary Beth Lfelat usta short time; we all know its tue But Mary Beth, ’shard ta sy goodbye to you Mary eth well alvays remember you ~ Gerry Butterwick 1See You in the Morning see you inthe morning asthe sun Begins tose oe the idge And moves acs the bv and cuales sky Ver tigh ora he est. se you in the things that ive wih us in peace Things that make our wards green | see you in the people that hod so close tome Hold us dos and set use. ‘And as we seek eachother forthe lve Wire meant to share thik ansee That asthe things that iv around us gow | think can see that how it willbe forus. Ise you in the things that ive with ws in peace ‘Things that make our wards een [se you in the peopethat hold so dose to me Hold us dose and set us fe. = Jim Grenoble nal Rememberances ASong for Mary Beth Good stuf does go away ke a view youcat forget Good people leave an impression on your soul Like the fove that all comes around or memories you cat escape Wien think o her know tm not alane Chorus Where she go? se her naw Theres MB dancing atthe Od Town Where’ laugh? I heart ear She let the world now she was here Wert she go I see her now he frends siting iting al around Where her smile? Oh see her happiness spread over this town Last time Repeat Where she go? Where he laugh? Wheres hersmile? Where she oo? Last summer rel when she was standing tall Singing song at Spc with Keeney by her side She sang song for al of us and was filled with pide ‘Wie heard my name was mentioned inher thyme Most am sad. ust hae ie fr several days How coud God take our gi away? ‘he never was unkind, he ved the word ike love isin. ‘he always tok the time so unashamed to make tes Fee ike par ofthe gang Chorus When close eyes and see al the things she means tome -Althetimes she made me ugh or helped me out | wll ever leave this wold utshining that sweet gi But be shining withthe ove she brought to me Shining withthe love she brought tome Chorus — Laura Davidson From the Gund Up + brary March 2005Personal Who's That Girl? (written for Mary Beth ) that git dancing ie she doesnt even are what she’s doing or whos watching she just wants tobe moving to the music io that gi wo that gi wiggle ikea ish and then she junps inthe ocean shakes her body with each music notion watch her dancing wo that git Ttmustbe time for tting goof everything you eft behind everybody wants share of feeling fine ‘who’ that git ‘who’ that gi who’ that git | think tm goona try and gett dase watch er dancing and you know fun to know her | wat to know her whos that id watch her tt Tim gonna ty and get inside wha: shes doing the way she smiles while her whole bodys moving tothemusic ‘who’ that gi everybody never sure of everything they et behind everybody wantsa share of feeing fine ‘who’ that gi dancing ike she dest even care what she's ding ‘orwhals watching she jus wants tobe moving tothe music who’ that gid who’ that gi whos tha i — Dick Siegel Rememberances The Doyle Seem lite you've avaysbeen a rock ‘Seemslike you've alwaysbeen an anchor Youknew that youd neversavethe world And you neverle the assole get you dowm But you never gave up trying Chorus Whats the word going todo without you , Dance lie the words on fre Dance lie you areal lore in your room Keep on dancing i and ell dance with you = Jack Spack Jr. | dont remember wheret was we met | dont know how longi’ been seems you've aay ben a fiend Vinyl is a Girl’s Best Friend Laurie and | wanted to share his song wit you al Some of you may remember it rom the talent show in Siren, Wiscansin. We wrote the words with Mary Beth nthe carn the way tthe ‘meeting sto the tune of Diamonds area Gis Best rend” ‘AS many have already said ~ MB had alove fr if Whether It wos wearing o leopard nursing- bra, cheering wih pom-pom or dressing in jewels and boa ~ MB ahwaysknew how to make our work un This song isjust one ofthe many examples. “She was a dear der fend anda fantastic activist. can't even begin count the number of times called on her to ep me work tough a problem or brainstorm anidea. could always count ‘on her to give me honest feedback. Right now just cant imagine doing tis wok without er. ‘And we shared more than jst our mork— we shared our passions deams fers and ou ove (odance The lssis great. forall ofus. ‘Hope this song makes you sil. — Monica Rohde & Laurie Valeriano Marble fortis just so continental But vii its best fend. ‘heap sthe plan wen you must make You wake up one morning and yout feeling sickly, Vinyl isa gt best fend ‘You goto the dc then tings get kinda pic. the etal ‘arthe Ws ving, Soviny nice. It wears out you doit twice. Yousay"No way and thatis final” Ie gets old and trathbe tld Devs not forme, Ie get in your bood in th end ‘ou dnt know thefts st. Send that cap back to Bate! Vinyl isa gts best fend Itlosesits charm inthe end But cracked, cued leaching ‘These los dort ned bleaching, Vinyl isa git best fend. Tees coment ven A (ne day your pipe breatsso you all up plumber, feeling flashy. hase geoted {nd sage be en Yes own dy theo aban stay be nce, but when youte ‘Sure clay is nice. But notin stock — so no dice,” ‘feeling trashy Anicvot ict ia hg ‘need that vinyl skirt. His stocks are high. Then fnsdremdyosgtann — releinde en tvkinbeted nove Tn bebe i” Vinyl isa gins best friend Dioxin — oh duit Vinisasits bess, _ Mary Beth Doyle Monica Rohde & Laurie Valeriano (orginal rics by Le Robin) From the Ground Up » ebrany] Mach 2005