Mary Wilbur Garrison

Mary Wilbur Garrison, 81, of Kent and Key West, FL, died Monday June 7, 2010, at her home. She was born June 27, 1928 in North Lima, OH to Walter and Elsie (McCaughtry) McDevitt. Mary first came to Kent as a Kent State Student. Licensed to sell real estate at age 21, she later became Portage County's first female owner/broker of a real estate and insurance company, the Wilbur Company. In 1975, Mary decided to join the Century 21 Real Estate System, becoming a Charter member of the first international real estate franchise system. " Century 21 Wilbur Realty" was formed and became one of the most productive real estate companies in Portage and Summit Counties; at one time having 3 offices and over 100 agents. Over many years Century 21 Wilbur Realty earned top production awards from Century 21, and is still an active part of the local real estate landscape thanks to the strong foundation of sound business principals acquired from Mary's many years of involvement and leadership. Mary was highly respected for her many business accomplishments at a time when women in business were not so widely accepted. In 1973, the Portage County Board of Realtors honored her as Realtor of the Year, and later she was awarded the Certified Real Estate Brokerage designation, the highest national award brokerage managers can receive. She also received the AIM award, an Immy award, and, in 1995 was honored for her 45 years of service to the community by receiving the Business Person of the Year Award from the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce. As a sponsor of Easter Seals golf outings, Century 21 Wilbur Realty raised many thousands of dollars under Mary's leadership. She was also a regular contributor to the Kevin Coleman Foundation, and a variety of other local organizations. After retiring in the late 1990's, Mary divided her time between Kent, and Key West, FL, where she continued her love of reading and her appreciation of the arts. She volunteered at a Soup Kitchen weekly to help feed the homeless of Key West. Mary became an award winning floral arranger and was a member of the United Church of Christ; Ohio Association of Realtors; Kent Chamber of Commerce; Portage County Board of Realtors; Kent Garden Club; Key West Garden Club; Key West Symphony; and Key West Yacht Club. She is survived by her husband, Robert O. Garrison of Florida who she married on October 1, 1988, and his family; by her children, son Michael (Marcella) Wilbur of Key West, Florida; daughters, Diana Wilbur of Aurora, Bonnie (Christopher) Coville of Kent, and Suzanne (Stephen) Cunliffe of Washington State, and by her step-daughter, Betsy Neylon of Kent. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; and sister, Elizabeth Brooke of N. Lima. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Dorothy Nagel and Kathryn Heid; and brothers, Beverly McDevitt, and Frank McDevitt. Mary was a consummate optimist, with a sparking wit and an open heart. She had a generous spirit and helped many people attain their dreams. Of all of her many accomplishments she will be most fondly remembered as a loving and gracious Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, mentor and friend. She will be missed. A memorial gathering will be held 11 AM - 1 PM Monday, June 28th at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home, 628 West Main Street, Kent. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Portage Area Senior Services, 6695 Chestnut Street, Ravenna, OH 44266 or American Cancer Society, 525 North Broad Street, Canfield, OH 44406 or RMH Foundation-Hospice, POB 1204, Ravenna, OH 44266-1204.