Mary Elizabeth Frye Quotes

A collection of quotes by Mary Elizabeth Frye.

Mary Elizabeth Frye was an American poet whose best-known work is the poem "Do not stand at my grave and weep." Born in 1905 in Baltimore, Maryland, little is known about Frye's personal life. She never received a formal education and worked as a housewife for most of her life. Despite her lack of formal training, Frye became known for her evocative and heartfelt poetry.

"Do not stand at my grave and weep," which is often attributed to her, was originally composed in 1932 as a response to a conversation Frye had with a Jewish friend who had been unable to visit her dying mother's grave in Germany. The poem addresses themes of grief, death, and the solace to be found in nature. It gained significant popularity during World War II and has since been translated into numerous languages and recited at funerals and memorial services.

Despite her poem's acclaim, Frye produced very little additional published work during her lifetime. She lived a quiet and unassuming life, even after her poem's widespread dissemination. Mary Elizabeth Frye passed away in 2004 at the age of 99, leaving behind a legacy of comforting verse that continues to resonate with readers from around the world.