Longtime Redmond resident Mary Hanke turned 80 years old on June 16, and more than 90 people celebrated with her last Sunday at Angelo’s Restaurant in Bellevue. The party room was decorated in lavender from the Woodinville Lavender Farm.

“Her love, her generosity, her personality have drawn her quite a following of family and friends who couldn’t wait to be a part of the celebration,” said her daughter, Kristin Hanke, who flew in for the party from Oakland, Calif. “As a role model, my mother taught me the value and importance of compassion, to be empathetic and care for others. I feel the richer for it and so grateful.”

When the Hankes moved to Redmond in 1970 with their five children, the town was still small. Mary hit the ground running as an active citizen, appointing herself a “welcome wagon” lady of sorts and baking pies for any new resident in their newly developed and growing neighborhood near Grass Lawn Park.

She worked for the parks and recreation department in the now-historic log cabins at Anderson Park, teaching preschoolers and seniors.

She also joined Redmond Presbyterian Church and over the years signed up for all kinds of community work, including placement of Cambodian refugees in new housing and jobs.She worked for the Redmond Election Board and remained an active volunteer in the Redmond school system.  Later, she received her master of divinity and became a chaplain for Edmonds Hospital.

She remains a women’s-rights advocate.

Nowadays, she and other local residents enjoy their retired time by knitting scarves and shawls, which they deliver by the hundreds to homeless shelters.

A neighbor of 44 years said: “When Mary was going back to school, it was exciting to hear the story of her progress and roadblocks and aspirations and successes. She inspired me to believe that I can start new things, that I can persist, that I can hold on to my own core beliefs and that I can shape something worthwhile out of any situation. These little lessons encouraged me on my path. I can barely comprehend the effect she may have had on hundreds of other people. Mary is a great lady with a far-reaching, positive influence.”

Mary and her husband, Roger, recently moved into their new home on Avondale Road.