Mary Travers of Peter Paul & Mary has Died of Leukemia (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
Mary Travers, a folk singer and songwriter who became famous as a member of the 1960’s folk group Peter Paul & Mary has died. The singer was diagnosed with leukemia in 2005 and underwent a successful bone marrow stem cell transplant but succumbed to the side effects of one of the chemotherapy treatments. Travers passed away at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Connecticut hospital at the age of 72 on September 16, 2009.
Travers, along with Peter Yarrow and Noel “Paul” Stookey, formed Peter Paul & Mary in 1961. Their hits included Blowin’ in the Wind, If I Had a Hammer, Where Have All the Flowers Gone? and Puff, the Magic Dragon. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
View photos and a video performance of I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane below.
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Thanks for everything Mary. My Mom lullabyed me to sleep with your songs. RIP….
This week I lost a very dear and old friend. I first met her along with her two pals, Peter and Paul, way back in September of 1963. For the better part of nine months I would listen to her on an almost daily basis. She spoke of social justice, the meaning of freedom and the joys of living. My friend was a beautiful blonde who was older than me. I think I had a bit of a crush on her. She possessed an incredible voice that could be a powerful hammer or tender as a mother nurturing her baby child.
Over the years the interactions with my friend grew fewer and far between. However, when we did connect it as was like we’d never been apart. The old memories would come rushing back as joyous as ever. For a few moments we would bond as we always had, then go our separate ways until the next time. I don’t think I’m the only one who experienced this with her.
Mary Travers died on September 16 after battling leukemia. Her band mate, Peter Yarrow said that “(Mary) was incapable of lying, as a person or as an artist.” I believe that is true. Though I never met Mary Travers in person, the music of Peter, Paul and Mary was played by my kindergarten teacher each day. It was more than a calming influence on me and my classmates at nap time. The music also taught us life lessons that remained with me long after those early school days. At a time in our nation’s history when human beings stood up for the rights of others, Mary’s voice was, as the song says, “a hammer of justice and a bell of freedom.” Paul Stookey shares that “she was brave, outspoken and inspiring – especially in her defense of the defenseless.”
Even though I migrated towards other musical genres later in life, I always stopped to enjoy the music of Mary Travers whenever it crossed my path. I guess the “crush” continues to this day. I’m certain that my friend Mary is now sitting with our Father in Heaven lending her angel’s voice to the chorus. God must be pleased that her gift was used so well while on earth.