Determination seems to be a common trait many cancer survivors share and Selma-Dallas County Public Library employee Mary Morrow is no different.

Affectionately known to many as “Ms. Mary” during her tenure at the library, Morrow also spent 26 years in the Selma City School System as a librarian as well as a seventh, eighth and 12th grade English teacher at then Eastside School of Discovery.

Born in southwest Missouri, Mary also lived in Idaho, California and Kansas with her parents and two younger sisters.

“We had an intact family and a varied childhood,” Morrow said. “We went wherever my father moved. We lived in the city, moved to the rural community and then back to Kansas City after my dad had a heart attack.”

As a youth, Morrow worked hard and took her academics seriously — often making straight A’s.

“I did whatever it took to fulfill my goals,” Morrow said. “Even in college I would stay up until midnight or 1 a.m. to do my assignments; I was determined.”

After finishing high school, Morrow had a brief stint as a secretary for Phillips Petroleum Company in Kansas City, Bartlesville, Okla., and Denver, before going to Abilene Christian University in Texas.

While there, Morrow met her husband, William Russell Jr., a Selma-native who Morrow said pursued her heavily.

“We dated for two years and married in Kansas City in 1965,” Morrow said. “We then moved to Texas and attended Texas Tech University together before moving to Selma in 1971.”

Though Morrow said she was apprehensive about the move to Selma at first, the town is a place she has grown to love dearly.

“I like the family atmosphere,” she said. “I like the fact that I can walk into a drug or jewelry store and they say, ‘Hey Mrs. Morrow’ or ‘Mary.’ You don’t find that in a big city.”

After settling into married life and motherhood, it seemed like things were smooth sailing for the Russells. However, Morrow’s life took a different turn.

In the spring of 1992, after successful yearly mammograms, Morrow saw the disappointing look on her nurse’s face she will never forget.

“I knew by her expression that I had cancer,” Morrow said. “I panicked, and a sense of dread came over me; I didn’t know how I would handle it. Doctors later diagnosed it as ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, meaning cancer is in the milk duct but it hasn’t broken through any portion of the body yet.”

In the fall of that year, Morrow had reconstructive surgery. Morrow recalls the experience as extremely painful.

“I was fortunate because I didn’t have to have chemotherapy or radiation,” Morrow said. “My mother suffered through cancer and I saw how the procedure of implants was uncomfortable for her, and I didn’t want that. If I had a chance to do it again though, I wouldn’t have chosen that route.”

Morrow’s mother later died of cancer and after her diagnosis, Morrow felt she was next.

“I thought about my mortality,” Morrow said. “Since my mother died, I thought I didn’t have many years to go.”

Morrow grew up in a religious home and she credits personal faith and support of her family, colleagues and church as the reason she overcame cancer.

“Everyone was just great,” said Morrow, relishing in the memories. “Even the principal of School of Discovery at the time would drive all the way out to my home in the country to bring me lunch. You can’t ask for much more kindness than that.

“I know God will see you through,” Morrow said. “Even if you don’t completely recover from a situation, you know he’s with you and helps you deal daily.”

No one would argue if Morrow chose to complain, but Morrow has chosen to be grateful and hopeful instead.

“When I was going through my pain I’d tell myself daily, ‘tomorrow will be better’ and each day really was,” Morrow said. “You have to have a positive attitude or personal mantra you tell yourself that helps you get through tough situations. I’m definitely a survivor.”