MARY ANNA FREDERICK

March 25, 1931 – May 12, 2015

Kendara Samoyeds & Chow Chows

Mary’s first introduction to the breed began as a young girl growing up in Chicago.  Her brother went to the Chicago Dog Pound and came home with a somewhat soiled dog. Mary cleaned the dog up and then went to the library and did some research.  She discovered that the dog was a Samoyed.  The dog remained a family pet, but her fascination with the breed remained.

Upon the death of her husband, Mary purchased a female, named Penny.  Mary began showing and there came into contact with many Samoyed people.  She eventually bred Penny to a male owned by Lucille Snodgrass and so began Kendara Samoyeds.  She produced her first champion, Kendara’s Most Happy Fella (Linus) in 1968.  Not only was this the beginning of Kendara, but a long and close friendship with Lucille which last lasted for over 50 years. 

            Mary bred many dogs who distinguished themselves in:

American Kennel championships;

Canadian Kennel Club championships;

Obedience titles;

Tracking titles;

Agility titles;

Working titles;

Search and Rescue with Illini Search and Rescue

Therapy dogs.

The list is so numerous that it is impossible to mention all of them without leaving some unmentioned.

In 1984, I had the privilege of joining Mary in her breeding program and together with embarked on a successful adventure.

In 1985, Mary decided to bring in Chow Chows.  She purchased a red Chow Chow (Rolden’s You Know) from Cliff Farnsworth, Rolden Chow Chows, in Houston.  Sometime later, a black Chow Chow (Wang Tsu Dark Shadows) was purchased from Mary Carlisle.  She then noticed an ad in the Chicago Tribune for a female litter in Waukegan.  She purchased a female (Kendara’s Forever Amber) and that was the beginning of the entry into Chow Chows.  The breeding between Wang Tsu Dark Shadows and Kendara’s Forever Amber produced the first male (Kendara’s Genghis Khan) kept by Kendara.  Sometime later, Cliff sent a female, Rolden’s Ms. Rosebud, and the breeding between Khan and Rosie produced Kendara’s first homebred champion (Kendara’s Crimson Pirate).

Mary went on to produce several more Chow Chow litters over the years and always had a great love for them.

In 1968, Mary joined the Samoyed Club of America and remained a lifetime member.

In the early 1970’s, Mary was a member of a local Samoyed club, Coola McGage, which was an obedience club.  About the early 1980’s, Debbie Orr approached Mary about starting a specialty club and having yearly shows.  Mary, along with Debbi, Arlene Heffler, and I am sure many others whose names have slipped my memory, began recruiting members.  This was the beginning of what was to become the Chicagoland Samoyed Club, Inc.  Unfortunately, Debbie Orr did not live to see the fruition of her efforts.  In June, 1984, Chicagoland Samoyed Club hosted their first specialty show and continued on this path until their last show in June, 2008.  Chicagoland also hosted many specialty shows in conjunction with the International Kennel Club of Chicago.

Mary through many of those years served as President of the Club. In fact, Mary made many of the trophies given at these events.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Deborah Binder (Kimbal), her granddaughter, Amanda Walker (Daniel) and her grandson, Nathan Dewey.  Unfortunately, Mary lost her son, Kenneth, tragically in 1987.

Mary not only loved her dogs, but had a great love of the arts.  She enjoyed the symphony, opera, plays, ballet, etc.

Throughout the years, Mary made many good and close friends whose company she enjoyed.  They are so many that they are too numerous to mention.  You will be missed by all.

I would like to personally thank you for your generosity, understanding and being the most unforgettable friend anyone could ever have had and in closing I offer you this traditional Irish blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you;

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

And the rains fall soft upon your fields,

And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

    God Bless You Always, Joyce