Mary and Roland Pettitt came to Los Alamos from Leadville, Colorado in 1960. It was while hosting visitors through the Council on International Relations that Mary became interested in opening the first “formal Bed and Breakfast in Los Alamos, “ Mary said.

When Roland suffered a stroke in 1985, Mary participated in a video to educate the public about strokes. She met Doug Venable in a grief support group at the United Church when they both found themselves without their life partners.

Mary, who loves to read, retired from the Mesa Public Library after working part-time for twenty-five years. She also worked at the Otowi Station Bookstore.

Most days, Mary can be found at the White Rock Senior Center, but many visitors remember her cheerful suggestions when they stopped by the White Rock Tourist Information Center.

Additional biographical material can be found in the Los Alamos Monitor of September 10, 2000.

Written by Karen Nilsson Brandt, copyright ©