Growing up in Ballytigue, Bruree, County Limerick, Mary Wingenter was one of 10 children born to Michael and Eliza (O’Gorman) Sexton. School events, parish activities, hurling matches and Gaelic football games were part of everyday life in the Sexton family.

Mary worked in Liverpool for a few years for the Elder Dempster Shipping Co. in Bills of Lading  before immigrating to New York  in 1961 to pursue business training and accounting work.

In 1966, Christof Wingenter and Mary Sexton were married and made Thornwood, Westchester County their home for 30 years.  It was there that they raised their 4 children Nikolaus, Franz, Kristel and Nicole.  Mary worked evenings for Pepsi Cola in Bursting & Decollating before joining Verizon to work many years in Human Resources and Property Management in Manhattan with the communication industry before retiring in 1997.

In 2000, Mary and Christof relocated to Emerald Green, Rockhill in beautiful Sullivan County, NY, where they were able to enjoy their 3 grandchildren and became involved in church and community events. Mary is a Past President and former secretary of the Ave Maria Guild at St. Joseph’s Parish, Wurtsboro, NY and has been and continues to be involved in the Walter Rhulen Run for the American Cancer Society in her community. As a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church, Mary was instrumental in starting the parish’s annual International Dinner and Irish Day as fundraisers for local charities.

In 2004, Mary joined Orange County L.A.O.H. Division #4 and soon found herself holding various offices at the Division and County levels and was instrumental in establishing L.A.O.H. Division #6 in 2010.  Also in 2010, Mary along with a team of community volunteers helped to organize the Rockhill Saint Patrick’s Parade.  Under Mary’s leadership, the ladies of Division #6 have taken an active role in St. Joseph’s Irish Day and joined with the other divisions of the Orange County L.A.O.H. to participate annually in the Rockhill Parade, the Montgomery, NY St. Patrick’s Parade and the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In 2016, Mary was nominated for and elected to the position of Orange County LAOH President and currently serves the role of immediate Past President.

Mary and her husband Christoff were happily married for nearly 53 years before he passed away in March 2018. Their son Nikolaus (Klaus) passed away in February 2002 and daughter Nicole passed away in March.

Mary continues to promote her faith, her heritage, and the true values of the L.A.O.H. motto of Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity.