An abiding personal commitment to the Reymann Foundation’s mission led Mary Kennedy Lawson to lend her time and talents to serve on the Board of Directors. Currently operating as the Secretary, her scope also encompasses duties on the Marketing & Communications Committee, maintaining the Family Directory and more.
Mary Michael is the only child of Agnes and Clad “Bud” Kennedy and grew up in Middletown, Ohio. Agnes was the youngest of the three Reymann daughters and number nine of the original sixteen. If Charles and Salome Reymann had had their way, Mary Michael might not be among us, as rumors are strong that neither was keen to losing registered nurse Agnes to her suitor Bud. No one is alive to confirm, but the prospect of surrendering their golden years caregiver to Bud might have even involved persuasive means – even as late as the father-daughter walk down the wedding aisle and possibly a knife brandishing during what Bud thought would be a casual kitchen conversation.
Mary Michael inherited her mother’s strong independent streak, as well as countless artifacts of family history. This includes letters, postcards, pictures and other mementos. These help to connect the Foundation to our rich history, while the directory keeps us connected in the present, even though the family has scattered with time. Mary Michael considers it an essential component of our legacy to impart our history to all Reymanns, and especially her son, two daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mary Michael’s foundation work is a logical extension of her lifelong commitment to others by means of her long career in Social Work and her volunteerism. Her efforts took many forms – spanning crisis intervention, counseling, foster care, adoption services and working with children with disabilities.
When not doing foundation work or reading, Mary Michael is likely spending time – and often traveling – with Kevin, her husband of over fifty-one years, whom she married while still an undergrad at The Ohio State University. That may explain her zealous passion for the Buckeyes, and on fall Saturdays their frequent sojourns to Columbus to cheer on the Scarlet & Gray. This is a distant trek from their home in South Carolina, but when Mary Michael– like Agnes before her – has a cause, it’s best not to stand in her way.