Mary Kler Heisinger (2016)
I have had the distinct honor of working with Mary Heisinger on some of the many volunteer projects and committees she has led over the years. In that time, I have been awed by Mary's selfless dedication, boundless energy and commitment to her work on behalf of the town of Greenville and its residents. Mary's wisdom, insight, sense of humor, and unwavering positive attitude are some of the reasons she is so well respected and admired by those who worked with her. The town of Greenville is extremely lucky to have benefitted from Mary's vision and leadership. – Joanne Baumann
It has been my pleasure to have been associated with Mary during her many years of volunteer efforts for the Library and its programs. She could always be counted on to step up to any need or challenge. Her dedication and accomplishments have been invaluable to me. – Barbara Flach, Library Director
The year was 1990.
After almost sixty years in New Brunswick, NJ, or Stamford, CT, or Windham, NY, recent arrivals Mary Heisinger and husband Bob settled into one of the new houses on one of Greenville’s new roads, Turon Road.
And Greenville has benefitted ever since.
Mary was born in New Brunswick, NJ, in 1932, to Dr. Joseph H. Kler, MD and Elizabeth Vaughan Kler, graduated from Kent Place School (Summit, NJ), and then from University of Rhode Island with a BA in English, minor in History.
She married Walter R. (Bob) Heisinger in September, 1955, and lived in Stamford, CT, and raised their three children—Thomas, Edward, and Elizabeth.
Besides being a busy mother, Mary served on New Brunswick’s East Jersey Olde Town, and, in the 1970s, was recognized for organizing Vision Screening for the State of Connecticut.
Ready for a career change, and Bob’s family having a summer home in the Little Westkill area, the Heisingers left their CT home in 1974, moved to Windham, and operated the Prattsville Hardware and Variety Store in Prattsville, NY, until selling it in 1984. Mary, in her volunteering efforts, served as Vice President of the Pratt Museum Board of Directors in the 1980s, and was a committee member of the Community Church and Library Restoration in Windham.
With husband Bob serving as Greene County Coroner, it became convenient to move closer to area hospitals, and Greenville fortunately became the residence of the Heisingers.
The irrepressible Mary found projects to attract her time and energy—enjoying the small town character of Greenville while involving herself with the area’s activities.
One of her first philanthropic efforts, Mary served as chairperson of the fund raising committee for the Greenville Library Expansion in the 1990s, a testament to the good will of the many people who helped promote the addition.
In addition, Mary has found time for these activities:
Current Library Trustee of the Greenville Library as well as the President of the Friends of the Library
Honored as the Trustee of the Year (November, 2003) by the Mid-Hudson Library System
Served as Secretary of the Greenville Republican Club when husband Bob was president
Has served as a Board member of the Greene County Historical Society, and presently sits on the GCHS Historical House Register Committee as well as its Education Committee
Earlier in the 1980s, Mary worked for Cooperative Extension 4H and also was a Board Member, served as Chairperson of the Community Action of Greene County, and was also a member of the Head Start Board
Recognized in February 2011 by the NYS Assembly for her work in the community and library
Recognized in 1996 Greene County Legislature for almost ten years on the Board of Directors of the Community Action of Greene County.
Has been or is a member of several ancestry/heritage groups
Mary organized the Civil War Round Table, with monthly meetings commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Civil War events. The May 2013 program honored Ayres Barker, a Greenville soldier killed in the battle of Gettysburg.
In addition, she conducts two monthly reading discussion groups with Library sponsorship—the fiction group and the history group.
And she is a member of the Clematis Garden Club, serving as President in 2015.
Unfortunately, lifelong partner and husband Bob passed away in 2013.
Recreationally, Mary has served President of the Women's Golf League at the Windham Golf Country Club and, upon her arrival in Greenville, formed an 18-hole women's golf league at Thunderhart Country Club. And she enjoys bowling as a member of a woman's league in Ravena.
After a pause to catch our breaths at Mary’s pace, the Greenville Local History Group is so pleased to recognize a person who jumped into Greenville’s social fabric, openly and enthusiastically shared with others, and serves as one of Greenville’s beloved good-will ambassadors and role models.
Mary Kler Heisinger, thank you for sharing these past twenty-five years with all of us.
- by Don Teator, Greenville Town Historian