On March 11, Mary Louise Wise celebrated an extraordinary milestone—her 100th birthday. Born in 1926, Mary now resides in the independent living facility at Grace Manor at Hunters Creek in Plant City, just minutes from downtown. If you happen to pass her in the hallway, chances are you’ll be greeted with a warm smile, a quick laugh, and the unmistakable glow of someone who has truly enjoyed her time on Earth.
Those who know Mary often call her “Miss Sunshine,” a nickname she wears easily and earns daily. At 100 years old, she is quick to say she feels blessed—blessed with good health, good friends, and a life full of memories that stretch across a century of change. “I still have my mind, I still have my health, and I’m comfortable. I can’t ask for more than that,” Mary remarks.
Born near Akron, Ohio, Mary’s father worked at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, one of the main sources of employment in the area at the time. As a young woman, history came calling in a very personal way. During World War II, Mary joined the ranks of “Rosie the Riveter,” working in a factory that produced airplane wings. She was about 19 years old, helping support the war effort at a time when the world urgently needed strong, capable hands.
In 1943, straight out of high school, Mary married her husband, Glenn. Like so many young couples of that era, their lives were shaped by the war—Glenn was drafted, and they married before he left for service. He served for three years, and Mary vividly remembers the day the war ended, marked by celebration, relief, and a few humorous moments as Glenn returned home, not quite used to all the festivities.
After the war, Mary and Glenn made a bold move. In the 1950s, they packed up and headed south to Florida, settling into a very different life than the one they left behind in Ohio. They bought eight and a half acres of land, which included a chicken farm where they raised around 5,000 chickens. Mary hauled eggs to Tampa in an old red pickup truck, earning ten cents a dozen—an amount that feels almost unbelievable today.
“That land was the best investment we ever made,” Mary says with a knowing smile.
When the chicken farm chapter came to an end, Mary transitioned to working at the post office in Dover, where she spent 20 years. True to her personality, she made it a point to learn the names of everyone who walked through the door. One of her favorite stories from that time involves a man who jokingly told her she could remember him as “the ugliest man in Dover.” Mary confidently repeated the line to someone she thought was the same man. “I said, ‘You’re the ugliest man in Dover!’ and it wasn’t the same man,” she laughs. The embarrassment faded, but the laughter never did. “You have to laugh at yourself,” Mary looks back fondly on her memories working at the post office, “I love people. I think that’s helped me more than anything.”
Mary and Glenn raised three children together. Her oldest son served 20 years in the Navy and later passed away from a heart attack, a loss Mary still feels deeply. She also has a daughter living in Georgia and a son in Lakeland who, she says, “does so much for me.” Family remains one of the greatest joys of her life.
Once their children were grown, Mary and Glenn embraced one of their favorite chapters—travel. “Traveling was the most fun time of my life,” says Mary. They visited numerous European countries, including Switzerland, Germany, England, Scotland, and Ireland. “Switzerland was my favorite, I love the mountains, and I love trains,” Mary says. She has also visited every state in the United States.
At 100, Mary’s tastes are delightfully simple and unmistakably her own. She loves football, enjoys playing cards, and has a soft spot for slot machines at the casino. “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, and I can’t hear well enough for the movies—so I like the casino,” Mary says fondly. Her favorite food? Tomatoes. Hands down. And while she may not have a sweet tooth, she loves a good apple pie.
When asked about the secret to a long life, Mary shrugs it off with humility. “Good genes,” she says, and then adds what might matter most: “I love people, and I laugh a lot.”
Her outlook on life has evolved with time. When she was younger, worry filled her days—worry about work, money, raising children, and doing everything right. Now, she lives one day at a time, grateful for comfort, stability, and the freedom from constant concern. If she could give advice to her younger self, it would be simple: don’t worry so much. “When you’re young, you worry about everything. I wish I had known it was all going to work out,” shared Mary.
As Mary Louise Wise celebrated her 100th birthday on March 11, those around her are reminded that a life doesn’t have to be loud or flashy to be extraordinary. Sometimes, a good life is built from hard work, kindness, resilience, laughter, and a love of people.
And maybe—just maybe—eating a few more tomatoes along the way.
