Mary M. Graye

Madison -- Mary Miles Peckham Graye passed away at HospiceCare on Thursday, March 17, 2011. Mary was born in Oklahoma, educated in Kansas, and pursued her career in Madison. She retired as the Senior Vice President of First Wisconsin Bank (now US Bank). Mary was not only the first female to be accepted into enrollment into the Wisconsin School of Banking, but also the first woman to attain a ""Vice Presidency"" position in any Madison bank. Among a long list of honors which she received during her career were ""Distinguished Alumni Award"" by Emporia State University, YMCA ""Women of Distinction"", and Jaycees designation as ""Boss of the Year"". The Madison Club (formerly an all male businessmen's club) broke tradition by electing her as the first woman on their board. Mary retired in 1989 to care for her terminally ill husband, Dirk Graye, and to enjoy their beautiful home in Shorewood Hills, Madison, Wisconsin. One of her passions was her home. Designed by a Frank Lloyd Wright disciple it has been expanded and remodeled; all changes ""in keeping"" with the original ""Wright vision"". The grounds have become a spring floral showcase with a heavily treed canopy. Each spring hundreds of people walk the paths to enjoy the botanical splendor which is enriched by the annual planting of an additional 5,000 to 6,000 bulbs. Mary remarried in 1992 to Emeritus Professor I. V. Fine, who was a faculty member of the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Business. In addition to enjoying their home and beautiful gardens they traveled annually to Florida, Hawaii, and extensively in Europe and the Americas. Memorials may be made to the ""Mary Miles Peckham Graye Scholarship Fund"" at Emporia State University, Emporia, KS 66801; Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, WI 53703; or the ""Graye/Fine Interdenominational Program Fund"" at Temple Beth El, 2702 Arbor Drive, Madison, WI 53711. A celebration of Mary's life will be held at a later date.