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Janesville writer remembered for her humor

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Mary McBride

JANESVILLE — Mary McBride was loved by everyone who knew her.

That’s what close friends and former classmates said of the late writer, comedian and Janesville native.

McBride was 84 when she died of cancer Tuesday at Mercy Hospital, but she continued to smile until the day she returned to the hospital, friend Millie Babcock said Wednesday.

“Janesville lost a very, very special and much-loved person when Mary McBride left this earth to join Veronica and other family members in heaven,” she said.

McBride’s daughter Veronica died of cancer in April 2005.

McBride started her writing career as editor for the school newspaper and yearbook while in Janesville High School, where she graduated third in her class in 1942.

After high school, she attended Milton College but left in 1943 to help the war effort.

She sold short stories and cartoon ideas and served as head writer for comedian Phyllis Diller for 40 years. Joan Rivers also hired her as a writer for five years.

McBride traveled the country speaking for charitable causes. She wrote six humor books printed in five languages. Some were co-written with Veronica. McBride's work was published in Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, Grin and Bear It, Ladies Home Journal, and The Saturday Evening Post.

Bill Ryan, classmate of 12 years, recalled her dislike for her birth name Elsie Duffy because of the Elsie the Cow dairy advertising campaign. She later changed her name to Mary, but Ryan said he would call her Elsie “much to her frustration.”

“Our relationship has been always blunt,” he said. “We were great friends, and I really admire(d) the woman.”

Friend Kathryn Marchant reminisced about her time in a weekly coffee club with McBride and other friends.

“She always had lots of little stories and quotes that would keep us giggling and laughing,” she said. “She frequently would have humorous experiences to tell.”

Both Marchant and Babcock said they’ll always remember McBride’s acceptance of all people and her genuine appreciation of all peoples’ talents.

Mary Margaret Hosler, a family friend of the McBrides for more than 40 years, said when McBride spoke to groups, such as the business teachers fraternity at UW-Whitewater, it was always a laugh.

“I always marveled about she could deliver one-liners at will, just one after another after another,” Hosler said.

She said McBride even had the ability to make conference attendees laugh during 8 a.m. sessions.

Hosler called McBride a Janesville legend.

“She led a very fulfilled life,” Hosler said. “She’s extremely happy right now because she’s with Bill, she missed him so much. I’m sure at this point she’s very, very happy.”