Mary is the 2nd child of Charles and Rosemary Wildi and grew up in the South end of Columbus. To quote a “close” family member, “the family was dirt floor poor....but happy”!

Mary began her business career at Grange Insurance Companies...then spent several years working at “office jobs” for (WIBC) Women's International Bowling Congress in Milwaukee, WI, back to Columbus to work for Lazarus until they merged with Shillitos, and then worked a few different jobs through a temp agency before coming back to Grange. She is currently the Administrative Assistant in the Corporate Security Department. She also helps oversee the Grange fleet, which includes approximately 210 vehicles. Mary's a hard worker ...loves to help people...and is a great asset to Grange.

Mary loves to travel ...especially by car since she can see more that way. Last year she drove out to Denver, CO for her IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals) conference and the year before she drove out to Albuquerque, NM. Mary is active in IAAP and served in various positions on the local and state level. She was the Ohio Division President (similar to our State Director) around 1999 or 2000.

When Mary turned 40 (way back when, according to our family member source) her dream was to go to Alaska and she achieved that dream. Mary and her sister Margaret spent three weeks in Alaska on a guided tour - two weeks on land and one week cruising the inside passage. When Margaret turned 40 (not so long ago, per the same family member), she and Mary spent three weeks on a guided tour in Australia. Mary and Margaret have been to at least 40 states.

Mary's a true Wildi and loves to gamble. The family tries to go to Wheeling as often as they can and when in Gatlinburg in August, they always make a trip to Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee, NC. This year, Mary and Margaret will be taking their Mom to Las Vegas to celebrate her 90th birthday. Their nephew Joey will be accompanying them.

Currently, Mary spends many weekends with her Aunt since her Uncle was put in a nursing home. Her Aunt and Uncle had one child and he passed away a couple years ago. Mary and her Aunt get along so well together...Mary's a great comfort to Aunt Tootie. (Yes...that's what they call her - her name is Pauline).

Mary LOVES to read...especially biographies...ones about different countries...ones about areas of the country that she visits. Mary recently re-ignited her interest in sewing by purchasing a new computer programmed sewing machine. She's very good at sewing and loves to try new patterns out. She also crochets and knits.

Mary joined NAIW in 2002-2003. She became a dual member of NKAIW and KSAIW in 2004. Mary has been a Godsend to KSAIW and NKAIW. She has always been more than ready to help with any craft project. She said “I don’t get to attend all the meetings so this is my way of contributing to the associations”. All we did was talk about what we needed and Mary made 50 bags for the Regional Craft Class and also volunteered to instruct the class on crocheting, made 50 bags for KSAIW May Education Meeting, made 50 Kleenex holders for KSAIW, and also made 150 Kleenex holders for her home association. Then, because she had that finished, she made caftans for 4 of her friends to wear to the Regional Conference Welcome Party.

Mary was a “hoot” at Networking Weekend this past year. She kept us in stitches on Friday night, making our game and the Chicken Dance twice as much fun. If you never had a sister, Mary is a terrific example of the “perfect” sister or friend. She is kind, generous, hilariously funny and just a complete joy to be around.

Mary and Margaret are already making plans to retire in Tennessee ...Smoky Mountain area - around Sevierville or Maryville area.

Mary's favorite foods are ...a good steak - cooked medium (that's still mooing to some of us), baked sweet potato, pizza, salad, lasagna, a good PB & J sandwich - no uncrustables, pumpkin pie, ice cream and of course Diet Mountain Dew or Diet Coke!

Please join us in congratulating the KSAIW Thoroughbred of the month...
Mary Wildi CPS/CAP