I wasn't going to comment on this thread since so many seem to be on a hair-trigger alert to anything someone says about Mary, presuming anything short of the deep devotion RCs give her is "disrespectful" and "hateful", but I have to say I agree with what you are stating. No Christian that I have ever known has disrespected her. She IS honored and set up as an example of faith for us all. But, to have someone say we wouldn't have had a Savior if Mary told God no, just goes way too far. If Moses said no, would God have given up on freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt? If Abraham had said no, would there even BE an Israel? I don't understand how people place so much glory on the humans when we have to know that God WILL do as He pleases and NO person can stand in His way.
Mary is honored and called blessed because she said yes, no other reasons need be imagined or fabricated to heap undue glory and praise on a human woman who had great faith and was anointed by God to bear the Savior of the world. The true glory and praise belongs to Almighty God who by His grace, love and mercy has redeemed us from the due punishment we ALL deserved - even Mary. She easily recognized her state as a humble woman in need of a savior and praised God for showing her favor and honor - something I think ALL Jewish women probably hoped would happen to them - to bear the Messiah. Her example to us was to glorify God and not man. God bless you!
Thank you so much for your beautiful essay-post and may God ever bless you and your loved ones.