Together with family and friends, the St. Margaret’s School community remembered fallen alumna, Mary Burke Parker, once more in a tribute on Friday, March 28.  Preceding the inaugural softball game at the school’s new athletic complex on Sycamore Drive, Athletic Director Sue Haney led a dedication ceremony in memory of the 2002 graduate who was killed tragically in an automobile accident on March 14.

Parker’s parents, Tri and Kathy, and brothers, Nate and Matthew took the field with Haney who presented them with a patch that the varsity softball Scotties will wear on their uniforms remembering Parker as number 7. “As a tribute to our fallen teammate, the varsity softball team dedicates the 2008 season to her memory by wearing her number—number 7—on our jerseys throughout the season,” said Haney.   “Our team will proudly wear these as we remember an SMS sister, athlete, and friend.”

Parker began her softball career at St. Margaret’s on the junior varsity team her freshman year.   As a sophomore, she was a starter on the varsity team in left field and earned the team’s highest batting average. She co-captained varsity softball as a junior in 2001 and was selected by the softball coaches in the League of Independent Schools to be a member of the All-L.I.S team that year.   As a senior, she was recognized as varsity softball’s most valuable player, earned the team’s highest batting average, and again won a place on the All-LIS team.

Following the tribute and recital of the school prayer, the SMS musical ensemble opened the game by singing the national anthem.   Tri Parker threw out the game’s first pitch and Parker’s cousin, SMS senior Blair Passagaluppi, wore number 7 during the game.