Verona Citizens Award
Mary Cooksey Wilks
A resident of Verona since 1951, Mary has been active in many and varied activities and organizations. Having played basketball, softball and soccer, and participating as a member of the Girls Athletic Association and Drama Club, she graduated Verona High School in 1966. After leaving a 20 year successful career in banking, in 1985 Mary took on the position of crossing guard on the corner of Forest and Gerdes Avenues. You can still find her there on her post every day making sure “her kids” get back and forth to school safely.
Mary has been a member of the Verona Township Recreation Advisory Committee since 1986, and presently serves as its Chairperson, as well as that of the Verona Township Public Safety Committee. Over the years, she has been active with various other boards and committees, such as: the committee to plan the Community Center and Hilltop fields, as well as the Budget Review Committee and Verona Centennial Commission. She remains a proud member of the Verona September 11th Committee, and continues to serve on the Executive Board of the Verona High School Alumni Association.
