Mary-Ruth McConnaghy from Niagara Falls, USA is ABBAMAIL's Woman of the Month for December 2002.

Mary-Ruth celebrates her 50th birthday this month so now she can have a double celebration after being awarded ABBAMAIL's most prestigious honour.

Mary Ruth's a real "Mum" dedicated to her family. Her family consists of husband Neil, two sons (the oldest is in the military and was wounded in Afghanistan) and youngest daughter Keri - the A*Teens fan (she likes ABBA too!).

Mary Ruth has a very long history as an ABBA fan dating back to her stay with her grandparents in Stockholm in 1967 when she first became interested in a group called Hep Stars. She saw ABBA live in 1979 also and met the members briefly as a radio competition prize at that time. Mary Ruth has attended many fan events in New York and attended the Toronto and Broadway Mamma Mia! premieres. In Toronto she got to speak to both the boys and Frida at in New York she again got to speak to the boys (as our picture shows!).

Mary Ruth has seen Mamma Mia! 18 times as this is being written. Talk about dedication beyond the call! She even managed to upset Björn by pointing out that she had her pen ready as he was signing autographs before the Broadway premiere (referring to an incident at four months prior in Melbourne after the premiere there where he'd told a fan 'you need a pen to get an autograph').

Mary Ruth is Niagara Falls No.1 tour guide and gives a full tour for any fans that come to stay with her :) She is well known to the  Canadian highway patrol due to her "Thelma and Louise" driving style...

Congratulations Mary Ruth on being our Woman of the Month!