It was back in April 1977 that I first really got to know Mary Yrizarry. The Linnaean Society of New York’s bird trip to South Florida was held on April 23 – May 1 of that year and was organized by Mary herself and Gretel Neuberger. It was a true success, with many specialties of the area being seen by the attendees. From there, through in-person LSNY meetings and other scheduled field trips, I got to know Mary better. I found her to be a good-humored person with always a smile on her face. Never once can I recall Mary uttering a negative word about anybody.
After living in Brooklyn, NY for many years, Mary and her husband John (who died in 2023 at aged 97) moved up to a family home in Tuxedo, NY, near Sterling Forest. Both she and John were instrumental in saving this crucial habitat from development. In 2008, the Linnaean Society of New York honored Mary to receive the Natural History Service Award for her role in saving the last piece of unprotected land in Sterling Forest.
We all should have gratitude for Mary’s work whenever we visit Sterling Forest in the Spring.
— Richard ZainEldeen