When I first ran for the House of Delegates in 1982, there was no Facebook or Twitter.

Not even Kinko’s.

There was and still is, however, the union bug.

Kogan Printing, a union shop, had one.

Kogan also had Mary Barban.

Mary’s official title was sales manager.

More importantly, she was the source of great insight into political campaigns  – yours and others.

No one paid a short visit to Mary. She would fill you in on her political gossip and you would return the favor.

There were always mock-ups of many candidates’ literature on her desk. If you had good eyes (and the ability to read upside down), you could learn a lot.

After Mary retired, I would call her occasionally to consult with my printing adviser.

Frank DeFilippo sent me to see Mary in 1982. He arranged for her collection of “printed political campaign material, ephemera, and photographs” to be donated to the Maryland State Archives.

http://speccol.mdarchives.state.md.us/pages/speccol/collection.aspx?speccol=5916

Mary died on Saturday.

Her obituary concludes, “In lieu of flowers, please donate to any charity that helps working women with fair opportunity, advancement and justice.”

As always, I will follow Mary’s advice.