She was born in Dayton, Ohio, and was orphaned at the age of three. Because people liked her twelve- Mary Elizabeth Frye was an American housewife and florist, best known as the author of the poem Do not stand at my grave and weep, written in 1932. The poem for which she became famous was originally composed on a brown paper shopping bag, and was reportedly inspired by the story of a young Jewish girl, Margaret Schwarzkopf, who had been staying with the Frye household and had been unable to visit her dying mother in Germany because of anti-Semitic unrest.

She married Claud Frye, who ran a clothing business, while she grew and sold flowers. She was an avid reader with a remarkable memory. She moved to Baltimore, Maryland, when she was twelve. Mary Elizabeth Frye was an American housewife and florist, best known as the author of the poem Do not stand at my grave and weep, written in 1932.