Mary Wemett-Adams (neé Baumer) passed peacefully in her sleep on February 27 at Maplewood of Newtown; she was 93 years young. Born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx, Mary moved to Middletown and took up what would become a lifelong hobby of “treasure hunting.” Mary would scour local rummage sales or thrift shops for items to upcycle. She could repair, rewire, reupholster, or refurbish just about anything, and she soon realized her calling. In 1963, she opened a second-hand store affectionately called “Rags to Riches” — a treasure trove of her re-fashioned finds.

Mary’s entrepreneurial spirit was unquenchable, and no risk was too daunting. With the help of her parents, she purchased several apartment buildings in Middletown and quickly learned the delicate art of landlording, while also running her second-hand business and raising two children. Mary also found time to serve as the recording secretary for the Connecticut General Assembly, using her considerable shorthand skills to transcribe legislation. In the mid 1960s, Mary was approached by her friend and mentor, Sal Perruccio, to assist in with the lofty notion of organizing a state labor union. The idea took wing and, in 1967, Mary helped Sal found the Connecticut Employees Union Independent (CEUI), which began with just over 300 members and now represents the interests of a sizable portion of Connecticut’s public sector work force. Mary also worked for the state of Connecticut, starting out at Connecticut Valley Hospital and retiring as a fiscal administrative officer at the State Insurance Purchasing Board.

As a lifelong, dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, Mary was a devoted fundraiser for the state Democratic party, and her steadfast commitment never waned; during her years at Maplewood Assisted Living, she coaxed numerous residents and staff to register and vote. (It might be said that she helped sway the 2020 election!) Given her track record of political engagement, it was natural for Mary to assume the role of president of the Resident Council at Maplewood, where she served with gusto for at least a year. Mary was generous with advice and insistent in her cajoling. She frequently wrote to public figures — mayors, senators, journalists, and presidents. When she believed in something, she declared it with a thought-provoking, meticulously hand-written letter.

In addition to her many pursuits as an entrepreneur, advocate, landlord, and political activist, Mary loved to sew, knit, crochet and upholster. She was the in-house tailor at Maplewood, and the seamstress extraordinaire for her friends and family. She had an enterprising mind, gifted hands, and an unrelenting will to achieve. She could also dance a rumba like nobody’s business.

Mary leaves behind her son, David Wemett, and his wife, Patricia Cebrelli, of Newington; her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Scott Schwartz, of San Diego; her grandchildren, Hannah and Zack Schwartz, and Russell and Davia Clay.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband and dance partner, Melkon Adams.

Mary was a woman ahead of her time who lived a life that would be considered audacious even by today’s standards. She will be remembered as a singular force of nature with an indomitable spirit. In her final weeks of life, she was cared for by exceptional hospice nurses and devoted staff at Maplewood.

Donations in her memory may be made to Regional Hospice of Danbury, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury CT 06810, or online at regionalhospice.org.