Mary Wilgus

Born on February 11, 1947, passed away on December 5th, 2024  at the age of 78. Mary was born in Valdosta, Georgia, to Hubert and Della Tucker. She started school at Oneco Elementary and tagged along with her father where he was a teen counselor at the Oneco Teen Club, developing her love for music. The family moved to Leesburg where she completed her high school years. She had two children. A daughter Debbie (who preceded her in death); a son John and five grandchildren, who were very dear to her. She has two great grandchildren, Connor and Aiden. She is survived by her sister, Martha. Mary attended the Oneco Hope Global United Methodist Church.

Mary has worn many hats and started working with the local telephone company in Leesburg, FL., she worked long enough to receive her retirement. She owned and operated a catering business and was a natural at being able to always have enough food for a crowd. Mary waited tables at the Fumble Inn Restaurant and the Anna Maria Oyster Bar and always found time to make and bake cookies and cakes for the many businesses that she dealt with. Christmas found her house full of candies, cookies and cakes that were distributed to families throughout the county.

She was devoted to the Manatee Gator Club and was the president for many years. Mary was instrumental in collecting donations and prizes every year for the Gator Scholarship fund. She was also an honorary member of the UF Alumni Association.

She was most proud of her southern heritage, her food menus, her Gator football team and her husband, Gradon Wilgus, whom she met and married 30 years ago in Bradenton, FL. Mary’s presence will be truly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Gator Scholarship Fund or The Oneco Hope Global Methodist Church. 

There will be a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, December 14, 2024, 1:00pm at the Fellowship Hall, directly behind the United Hope Global Methodist Church in Oneco. Food will be served following the service. All are invited.