The Bluegrass Area Development District celebrated a veteran staff member preparing to retire after 38 years of service. Mary Schmidt, Assistant Director of the Bluegrass Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living, has provided a career advocating for older adults. Mary is known throughout the Bluegrass community and is well respected by everyone who knows her. 

 

In her spare time, she volunteers to serve her community and faith.  Mary’s accomplishments include serving on the Senior Services Commission for approximately 10 years and being its most recent chair. She was instrumental in developing the Age Friendly and Dementia Friendly Initiatives in Lexington. She was also awarded the CHAMP (Champion of Adult Maltreatment Prevention) award June 14 during World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This award is for her years of work toward elder abuse awareness and prevention.

 

On a personal note, she is married to Kurt and has two adult daughters, Danielle and Devan, and a most beloved baby grandson, Thayer. Mary loves her family and her pets and will spend a few months of her retirement with her family before returning to advocacy work for the City of Lexington.