At 92 years young, Mary Burd has always been on the move. From her years working at General Motors to her zoo adventures with her late husband, her life has been defined by energy, exploration, and a deep appreciation for the world around her. 

Today, she channels that same active spirit into her daily life at 10 Wilmington Place, where she finds joy in the community, staying active, and reflecting on a life well-lived.

"I can say I had a very good life when I looked back, and I was very fortunate," Mary said.

Mary spent most of her life in Parma near Cleveland. She worked in the office at General Motors, first at the tank plant and then at the Chevy plant. 

One memorable perk of her job was getting to ride in a tank. "If you put in a good suggestion, you get to ride in a tank. So, if you're all dressed up in heels, you have to bring your clothes because you have to put on coveralls and everything, and I have a picture with me, and they take you out in the back and they take you off the test over the test track in the tank, which was fun."

After retiring, Mary and her husband found a new passion: volunteering at the Cleveland Zoo. Her husband even chose to volunteer in the bird building—a fitting role given their last name. "Our last name is Burd. So, he volunteered in the bird building—at the Cleveland Zoo," Mary mused.

Their love for animals and adventure led them to visit zoos across the country. She recounted a thrilling experience: "We went to Texas and we went to the wilds down there. You get in a tram and it's where all the animals are roaming wild like they do in Africa, which is a treat."

Mary's family story is one of unexpected blessings. Unable to have children of her own, she and her husband decided to adopt. "I was blessed with three," Mary shared. When she was preparing to welcome her children, she made a significant decision about her career. "I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom," she explained. Leaving her job to raise her children is a choice she cherishes to this day, and she especially cherishes her role as both a grandmother and great-grandmother.

In March, Mary made the decision to move from Parma to 10 Wilmington Place in Dayton to be closer to her son and his wife, realizing she wanted to be near family for this chapter. Along with the perk of close proximity to family, she appreciates the natural beauty of Dayton.

At 10 Wilmington Place, Mary enjoys staying active. "I like to exercise," she said. "I walk around the front and down to the gazebo." She also attends exercise classes.

She finds comfort in the freedom and safety the community offers. "Feeling that you can walk around even in the evening," she said. "You can do all this walking and you're comfortable because you feel safe, and that's the secret of the whole thing."

As she embraces this new chapter, Mary continues to approach life with enthusiasm and gratitude, but she has one amusing stipulation: "I told the kids I only want to live to be 100, and I'm close to it. That's my limit."

At 10 Wilmington Place, Mary has found the perfect balance: staying active, cherishing memories, and embracing the joys of each day with a smile and a story to share.