Mary LeCompte Summer, 88, of St. Simons Island, Georgia, passed away peacefully in her home April 10, 2026.

Mary was born Dec. 24, 1937, in Middletown, Ohio, to Daniel Scott Wilkin and Marjorie Crist Wilkin. She graduated from Marietta College in 1960, where she was a member of Chi Omega (Chi Gamma Chapter), earned a double major in English and Business, and played tennis, reflecting her discipline and competitive spirit.

From 1961 to 1963, Mary worked as an internal auditor for National Cash Register in Columbus, Ohio. She was the first woman in the internal audit division—hired as a "test case" to determine whether a woman was capable of the work—and she excelled, paving the way for others.

In 1964, Mary joined The Ohio State University, where she spent the majority of her professional career at The Ohio State University Hospitals. She began in personnel and, in 1975, became Administrative Assistant for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In this role, she supervised all non-medical personnel and played a key role in building a balanced academic department supporting education, research,
teaching and service. Widely regarded as the department's "go to" person, Mary was often described as its "den mother." A devoted Buckeye, she remained a loyal Ohio State fan throughout her life.

Mary's dream was to live by the ocean, inspired by summers spent on the Jersey Shore with her beloved grandparents. After taking early retirement, she fulfilled that dream by moving to St. Simons Island in 1992.

Mary's love of animals was a defining part of her life. That devotion began early—she was famously known for sneaking animals into the family home, including hiding a hen, "Queenie" in the rafters of the garage, later discovered by her father when little chicks began to appear. She loved horses and competed as a young adult in barrel racing.

After becoming bored in retirement, Mary joined Island Animal Hospital, where she worked at the front desk from 1996 to 2015, becoming a familiar and welcoming presence to countless pet owners on the island. She was also deeply involved in animal rehabilitation, particularly injured birds, and cared tirelessly for the island's feral cat population. In addition, Mary volunteered with Sanctuary on the Sapelo, where she
assisted with the counting of eagles—work she found especially meaningful. Mary was an avid gardener, and her yard was certified as a Wildlife Sanctuary through the National Wildlife Federation's Save the Songbirds program, an enduring reflection of her commitment to protecting animals and the natural world.

Above all, Mary dedicated her life to raising her two daughters, instilling in them the values of education, independence and perseverance. Both daughters earned college degrees, an accomplishment of which Mary was deeply proud. She often remarked that the greatest reward for raising two daughters was being blessed with three grandsons, who brought her endless joy. Beyond her immediate family, Mary was also the matriarch
of her extended family—a beloved "Aunt Mary" and a loyal friend to many.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Susan Hoerner (Jim). She is survived by her daughters, Susan Summer Gillaspy (Steve) and Sara Summer Bonario (Michael); her grandchildren, Scott William Gillaspy, Christopher Stephen Gillaspy and Luke Daniel Summer; and her brother, Daniel Scott Wilkin Jr. (Jill).

A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m. June 13 at St. Simons United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary's memory to the ASPCA or the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia. https://www.aspca.org/ or https://hsscg.org/