(Posted May 6, 2020)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
“She has always believed she was going to make her 100th birthday,” said Debbie Vecchiarelli about her mother, Mary Komives.
Mary knew what she was talking about. On April 22, the London resident did indeed hit the century mark.
Her family arranged for a big party at Der Dutchman in Plain City. More than 40 guests, including some from Florida, planned to attend before the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic closed restaurants and prohibited large gatherings.
While the party is postponed, the celebration of a woman who “loved to go, go, go” goes on.
Mary was born in Virginia in 1920 to Mary and Andy Orosz, natives of Hungary. She later moved to Ohio, living in Columbus and Bexley before moving to London in 2003.
Mary raised four children. Debbie hails from London, as does Marty Komives. Their siblings, Patty Sullivan and Alex Komives, reside in Florida.
“She has been a wonderful mother to us and lots of grandchildren and great-grandchildren,” Debbie said. “She was a wonderful wife to our father (Alex) until he passed away in 1975.”
Mary retired in 1983 from the State of Ohio Health Department, where she performed clerical work. She then set about traveling the world, venturing to Hawaii, Alaska, South America and Europe.
“She’s been to a lot of places and always enjoyed herself,” Debbie said.
Mary also has been active in her community.
“She didn’t like staying at home. She wasn’t the grandma type that sat at home and rocked in a rocking chair,” Debbie said. “She liked to participate in everything going on in London.”
Mary volunteered at HELP House Community Outreach for 15 years, most often on Monday nights when she helped to register clients stopping by for a hot meal, clothes and food.
“She really enjoyed it, and she talked a bunch of other people into doing it, too,” Debbie said.
Mary also volunteered in the kitchen at the Madison County Senior Center and is a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where she served on several committees over the years.
Mary currently resides at Sisters On Elm assisted living center in London.
