Walking Connection Member Profiles
by Patricia Freeman and Patricia Vroom

Mary's On The Go!
Member, Mary Shrake

Mary Shrake, owner of "Mary On the Go Tours", was certainly "on the go" when she celebrated her 70th birthday. As she modestly tells it, without a hint of awe at the immensity of her undertaking, "I traveled around Europe for two months alone, accompanied by my duffel bag." Apparently, just like you'll find out about Mary herself, that trip was a study in diversity. She glibly explained the contrasts of her adventure this way: "I was on a barge trip that required formal attire and I also went hiking in Ireland." Mary succinctly captured her approach to the whole experience by recalling, "I went to bed one night thinking, 'Well, if it's still raining tomorrow in London, I'll go on to Paris; if it's sunny, I'll stay there.'" She didn't tell us how many years ago that trip was but it clearly doesn't matter because one only has to meet Mary today on a trip, a walk, or a hike, to know that she is living proof that her philosophy, "Exercise makes age ageless," has worked for her.

Mary comes from Main Street, Middletown, Ohio. She moved to Arizona in 1959 with her husband and children to study for a year at the Thunderbird School of International Business in Glendale. Mary wryly explained, "I stayed, but my husband moved on and I wasn't invited." But she added nonchalantly, "It was an easy transition because I was involved early in the game with local activities and I enjoyed the slower life style and friendly people." The decision to stay in Phoenix proved to be a good one for Mary because it was here that she met "Husband Number Two". Between them they had, "his and hers," a total of eleven children. Responding to the raised eyebrows she elicited with this information, Mary was quick to point out, "They didn't all live with us all of the time." But she admitted, "When my husband's children visited us we had a full house."

You would think that raising a family of that size would be challenge enough for the average person, but Mary was also a "working mother," even during those years. She told us, "I worked with my second husband for 25 years in our two independent pharmacies, and before that I was the pre-school director for Valley Presbyterian Church." With that background and that kind of energy none of us should be surprised to learn that Mary now has a different kind of business, one that melds perfectly with her involvement in the Walking Connection, "Mary on the Go Tours." Does one have to wonder how she thought of that name?

Mary and the Walking Connection "connected" at a Desert Botanical Garden event. Mary joined the W.C. and as she told us, "began to participate locally full bore." She joined the group that went Heli-Hiking to the Adamants Mountains, in Canada, last year and is looking forward to enjoying the Italian Tuscany experience with Walking Connection friends this May. Of the Walking Connection members Mary says, "I really like the people; they are doing something to make their lives better."

Mary's involvement with the Walking Connection has now extended to her leading some trips for the organization. Her Kartchner Caverns tour in Southern Arizona was a sell-out and has been reoffered two more times, due to popular demand.

Besides walking, traveling and hiking, Mary also golfs, swims and goes to the fitness center three to four times a week. Mary said she has "always" exercised in some way. There is no doubt in Mary's mind why that is a good thing to do. She tells us adamantly, "Living fit improves your mental and physical well-being and it gives you more energy, clearer thinking and makes you feel good about yourself." She also believes in families traveling and exercising together. To sum it all up, Mary tells us with a twinkle in her eye, "Boy am I making 'brownie points' with my children; they realize that as long as I'm fit and 'on the go' they don't have to take care of me."

Mary is very clear about her life philosophy. She advises, "Live to glorify God, and to make a difference in someone's life that your life has touched." We hope (and expect) that Mary will be "on the go" for many more years to come, touching lives along the way, both leading and following along on many more trips with the Walking Connection.

RELEASE: Exercise is only one part of being healthy, seeing your doctor is another! If, at any time during a training session (whether it is a group session, individual personal training session, or self-training session), you suffer any mishap or injury, we urge you to stop your activity immediately and seek professional medical attention. The information contained on this site is intended to give information about personal health and fitness, not to act as a medical manual or guide to self-treatment. Keep in mind that exercise, health and nutritional needs vary from person to person, depending on age, gender, family medical history, current health status, and other individual factors . Before engaging in these, or any other exercise or recreational activities, we urge all individuals to consult a physician. He or she is most-qualified to advise each about your specific health status and needs. By participating in any Walking Connection walk, hike or event, now or in the future, I have and do hereby fully assume all risk of injury, property damage, emotional trauma and death, and it is my intention for me and my heirs, executors and administrators to waive any and all right and claims for damages I may have against Gene and Jo Ann Taylor, Taylor Marketing and Management, LLC., The Walking Connection and any individual associated with these walks, hikes or events, their representatives, successors, and assignees, and will hold them harmless for any and all injuries, mishaps and loss of property suffered in connection with my participation in these walks, hikes, events.