AUBURN - Mary Tarby has a pretty big family. So when she found out last year she has ovarian cancer, that family mobilized to help get her through it.

Those efforts came together Sunday during a day-long benefit for the 48-year-old Auburn native. Hundreds of people came to Bear Bones BBQ and Grill to see live music, have some food and raise money for her battle with the disease.

Many of those volunteering during the event included her five siblings - Karen Tarby-Savino, Stevie Tarby, Cathy Tarby-Bristol, Bill Tarby, Lynn Tarby-Masters and Jennifer Tarby Mahoney - and their families, said Drew Savino, one of the organizers and Tarby's nephew.

Savino said the family quickly decided to put together a benefit after she was diagnosed in November. The location was easy to chose - its owner, Michael Tarby, is in the family, he said.

“From there it just sort of took off,” said Savino, who estimated 50 people volunteered to help put the event together. “There has been a very positive response.”

Nicknamed “Peachie,” Tarby learned of her affliction after dealing with flu-like symptoms. She has received surgery and is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments, and she is no longer able to work.

Savino said he was hoping to see from 300 to 500 people show up between 1 and 6 p.m., and about halfway through he said they were on track to reach that goal. Because Tarby was not able to attend, volunteers filmed the action so she would be able to see how things went.

Peachie's mother, Joan Tarby, said she got the nickname as a young child because peaches were her favorite food. Everyone at the benefit has called her Peachie since then, she said.

Joan Tarby said she was not surprised that so many friends and family members volunteered to help out.

“People have been very generous,” she said.

Dozens of pieces of sports memorabilia and entertainment items were raffled and auctioned off through the day. Local band Tuff Luck provided the R&B and many of the young ones who came along took busied themselves of the bounce castle.

Savino said it was meant to be a day for members of the whole family to have fun - though members of Tarby's family were there to make sure the benefit would be successful.

“It's kind of all work for us today,” Savino said.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311

ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.

How to help

Those interested in contributing to Mary “Peachie” Tarby's cause are asked to call 730-7637 or mail contributions to P.O. Box 1115, Auburn, NY, 13021.