Majorie Ann Rickey

My two siblings and I were all named after my aunt, Marjorie Ann Rickey, an artist and woman of faith who never married but traveled and painted in France, Hawaii, Ohio, Canada, louisiana, and elsewhere. She studied with artist Hans Hofmann in Provincetown, as well as at such institutions as Columbia University, Northwestern University, and Columbus School of Art and Design. Even today,her art graces my home and her influence my life. The niece of baseball legend Branch Rickey, who helped break the color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson, Marjorie (or "Mar," as we called her) was adventuresome, talented, independent,loving, funny, and supportive. During our frequent trips in her Volkswagen camper (accompanied by her constant companions,two dachshunds), she encouraged me to write. She would set up her easel;I would take out notebook and paper. In this way I learned, even as a child,the transformative power of art in all its wonderful and varied forms.