About the Author
Mary was born in Springfield, Mass. to parents who had so hoped their second offspring would be a boy that they hadn’t even considered any feminine names. Pressured by a nun at Mercy Hospital who wouldn’t release the child until she had a name, Mary’s mother blurted out the name of the Blessed Mother. The Sisters of Mercy raised their hands to the heavens with joy, and thus began Mary’s life-long career as a crowd-pleaser.
She graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Anthropology (and just to make sure she was unemployable, a minor in Philosophy), After inheriting five acres of Indiana farmland, Mary moved to the Midwest with her first (or “Starter”) husband to raise children, sheep, and a feral cat that turned out to be a serial chipmunk killer.
The Earth Mother years were full of great material. Mary began writing it down and the first piece she ever wrote was published by The Chicago Tribune, feeding the delusions of grandeur planted years before at Mercy Hospital.
Mary’s humor column, Second Half, appeared in San Francisco Bay Area newspapers from 2004-2009. She lives with her husband, James “Keeper” Hanna, Mr. Bobo the Wonder Cat, and Corky the French Bulldog, otherwise known as Little Miss FartyPants. Mary has two grown sons and a serious Diet Pepsi habit.
Contact:
Mary Hanna
P.O. Box 7093
San Carlos, CA 94070
(650) 743-8855
mary@maryhanna.net
2 Comments · Leave a comment
I’m so bummed to read about the San Mateo Times ceasing publication of your column. I’ve been enjoying it since it was first published. I understand their need to cut costs, but I think your column should be considered an investment, not an expense.
February 12, 2009
12:09 pm
I was stunned when I read that it was Mary’s last column. I am so happy to be reading and enjoying Mary’s sense of humor again!
April 4, 2009
9:16 pm