Our friendship did not flourish right away because Margo and I were vying for the same playing position, and we both knew that. Therefore, at least as far as softball positions were concerned, we were competitors. Although we never discussed the competitiveness between us, it was obvious to everyone. One day during practice, I noticed Margo wearing a sweat shirt with the initials NEOUCOM written on it. I asked her what the initials stood for. She replied "Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine." I was both impressed and shocked because Margo giggled and laughed constantly. I thought to myself, I can't believe this woman is going to be a doctor. She's so silly!

That evening after practice we all went out for cold drinks. While there, we engaged in various conversations about our lives. I began talking about an old boyfriend, our fights, my catching him with other girls and other "illnesses" of the relationship. Margo laughed at the events I spoke of the entire time. When we were preparing to leave, Margo giggled and said "Good gossiping Donzella!" From that moment on, Margo and I became the best of friends and it never mattered that she eventually got the left field position I wanted. Margo and I continued playing softball together for 19 years thereafter. Whenever the complexion of our team changed, she and I always stayed together. For 11 years I had my own women's team. and she had a co-ed team for five years. We played on one another's teams until she stopped playing about two years before her death.

Although Margo and I met on a softball field, our friendship reached leaps and bounds as we carried on with our professional and private lives. Although Margo became very busy with a thriving medical practice, she was never too busy to remember my birthday, a Christmas present, or my son's birthday.

Dr. Margo S. Prade was a phenom. She was an asthmatic who taught herself how to play softball right-handed because at that time, left-handed softball mitts were an anomaly. Regardless of how poor a player's skills were, Margo always wanted every player to play in every softball game, even when others disagreed. The consideration and caring that Margo demonstrated on the softball field, was an extension of her kindness as a physician, friend, mother, sister, daughter and wife. Her legend as well as our friendship will forever live on in my heart, and the hearts of many softball players who grew to know and love her as "the giggly doctor in left field!"
 

Prepared for the family and friends of Dr. Prade by former patients:
Martha E. Banks, Ph.D.
Rosalie J. Ackerman, Ph.D.
ABackans Diversified Computer Processing, Inc.
566 White Pond Drive
Suite C #178
Akron, OH  44320-1116
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Last Updated: 12/22/00