Mary Griswold Remembered for Helping Linn-Mar Students Find Tutors

Splashes of color fill Madelyn Olson’s garage. It's a reminder of her close friend, Mary Griswold. The color comes in the form of Mary’s clothing, which Olson gathered to give away after Mary’s death on November 19.

Mary, a longtime counselor at Linn-Mar, had a flair for bright-colored outfits and bulky jewelry, which she loved making and offering as gifts, as well as wearing. Olson said Mary’s specialty was beaded bracelets.

Olson chose to give away Mary’s clothing at home, rather than through a charity, so she could describe Mary to people collecting the garments. So far, 11 people have stopped by Olson’s house in Marion to pick up clothing and perhaps hear a story or two.

Those who knew Mary remember her fashion sense, and also her dedication to finding volunteer tutors to help students at Linn-Mar High School, where she worked as a guidance counselor.

Linn-Mar High School principal Jeff Gustason said Mary worked hard at tracking down tutors, in math as well as other subjects, right up until she took a leave of absence for health reasons, several weeks ago.

“Her fingerprint is on that, and will be for a long time,” Gustason said.

Paula Stenske, a math tutor Mary found more than five years ago, recalls Mary’s devotion to ensuring every student who needed a tutor got one. Stenske said Mary was very friendly, but wasn’t afraid to push volunteers to give as much time as possible when the students needed them

“She was an advocate for these kids,” Stenske said.

Prior to counseling at Linn-Mar High School, Mary worked in the North-Linn Community School District, in Coggon, Iowa. She was born in Anamosa, Iowa, and went to high school in Wyoming. She earned a Master’s Degree in guidance counseling, as well as teaching degree from Iowa State University.

She is survived by a sister, a brother, and an abundance of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, according to information in the pamphlet from her funeral.

Olson, who spoke at the funeral, said Mary’s name fit her because she was, indeed, “merry.” She said Mary had an upbeat personality and a gregarious, “deep-throated laugh.”

At Linn-Mar, Mary would keep a dish filled with hard candies and Tootsie Rolls in the guidance counseling office. Gustason said faculty members are keeping it full in her memory.