We are saddened to learn of the passing of Mary Bloom, photographer. Mary was a photographer-in-residence at the Cathedral for twenty years. Her many images documented the events and people who came and went during those times. Her time at the Cathedral coincided with the Dean Morton Era stoneyard and of course she photographed that as well.
Nelson Mandela was one of the distinguished people who came to the Cathedral. While she could have photographed him anywhere in that magnificent building, she led him to the stoneyard. There, she placed him by the carving of his likeness. She said she wanted the stone carver to know that Mandela had seen the carving.
Feast of St. Francis, the Annual Blessing of the Animals
For 30 years, on the first Sunday in October, the Cathedral holds the Blessing of the Animals. It was this past Sunday. Mary was one of the c0-founders, an event that Dean Morton brought to life. Most years she organized the procession up the great aisle to the altar in the central crossing.
Additionally, Mary spent many years as the staff photographer for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Along with Robert F. Rodriguez, Martha Cooper and Deborah Doerflien, Mary Bloom – photographer preserved the visual story of the Cathedral and the stoneyard. For this we are grateful.
Mary corresponded with us a month ago saying that she was again starting to scan the images she wanted to share with us. In closing, she said “Sorry for the delay…life gets in the way.”
We hope she is now being greeted by the throngs of animals she adored.