Mary Funeral Kemp

One of Fairhope’s centenarians, Mary Kemp, a WWII Veteran, passed away at the age of 102, on January 25, 2025, after a lengthy battle with dementia.

Mary Kemp was born (and raised) in Toledo OH, in 1922, to Boleswa and Piotr Zalewski, who emigrated from Poland to escape the war (WWI), via Ellis Island in 1917. She was one of six children, all who grew up, survived the Great Depression and persevered through many challenges.

Mary graduated from Woodward High School, and initially went to work as a Cosmetologist. Soon after she began working at the Toledo Jeep as part of the war effort. But Mary wanted to do more, so she decided to enlist in the Army. 

She was told that she did not meet the 100-pound weight requirement, and to go home, eat bananas, ice cream and cottage cheese, and to return in a couple days. Mary did just that, returned, weighed in at 100 pounds, and enlisted in the Women’s Army Corp. She served from 1944 to 1946 and was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal.

Mary then went to California to follow her dream, got married, had two children, and after five years, ended an abusive and dead-end marriage. Left penniless with her two children, she ended up in government projects/housing of Culver City CA and worked in a factory to provide basic needs.

After three years, Mary finally listened to her siblings - “no good will come from that setting” - and returned via train to Toledo with her children, living in the basement of her mother’s house, with her WWII Veteran brother Stan who took her in (also providing for Boleswa, their indigent mother).

Mary again went to work in the factory, by day, and went to school at night, receiving a business degree from Davis Business College. She worked as a secretary for Owens Illinois, Libbey Glass for 25 years. At age 62, the company ushered her into retirement. That initial $450 pension check never changed for 40 years - can you imagine…

Her son quickly provided a place to live and a vehicle. Despite the sudden unexpected retirement, Mary quickly embraced her new life by joining a local gym, exercising and swimming. She also volunteered at a local Nursing home, helped out at the Toledo Barber Academy using her High School learned Cosmetology skills, and stayed busy working in the yard (weeding, raking leaves, shoveling snow, etc). 

In the winter, Mary went south (TX, GA), living with her son and wife. She walked those hilly neighborhoods meeting and getting to know all those she encountered, and joining the girls in Yoga, Johns Creek GA. She was one happy, healthy camper.

At the age of 90, Mary relocated to Boca Raton FL, living with her daughter and husband. She became very active in Silver Sneakers, Yoga - five days a week - and at the urging of her son, began her track career - yes, track.

At the age of 95, moved to Fairhope AL, living with her son and wife. She continued her love of yoga and Silver Sneakers, daily walks, and became a regular at State and National Senior Olympic track events, winning dozens of Gold and Silver medals. She also set a national record in the 200M for women over 95. Her last race was the 50M ‘dash’ at age 100 at the Nationals in Fort Lauderdale, where she won GOLD.

Until they were on their own, Mary sacrificed all for her children, providing them with a parochial education, food, shelter, health care, clothing, and love. She never dated nor remarried.

Her life was one of selflessness, with a passion for that life, high energy, indomitable spirit, and wonderful sense of humor. “Every step you take is better than the one you don’t” she would say … followed by “Unless you’re on the edge of a cliff”. Her life was not one of wealth, but it was incredibly rich with the relationships formed with family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, with love for all.

Like her mother, Mary loved to dance, the polka, and was a lifelong fan of professional wrestling - Fritz Von Eric, Bo Bo Brazil to name a few. 

She loved her coffee - black, and a ‘refreshment’ (piwo) in the evening.

You will be missed Mary, but the memories will continue…strike up the band, polka, raise a glass - Sto lat Mary, Sto lat!

Mary Kemp is preceded in death by her mother Bolesawa and father Piotr Zalewski. She is also preceded in death by her brothers Stanley and Chester, sisters Sophie, Virginia, and Delores.

She is survived by her son Glenn, daughter Ann, several grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

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