Thursday’s running of the Mary Waggie Relays at the PHS Jim Kaufman track was a fitting tribute to a Perry teacher who once said of her profession, “For a teacher to live forever in the heart and memory of even a single child is the best tribute of all.”
Mary Waggie was a graduate of Estherville High School. She attended nursing school in Pensacola, Fla., graduating with academic honors. She served as a nurse in Mason City, Iowa, before continuing her education at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, once again graduating with academic honors and taking a degree in elementary education.
Waggie began her teaching career in 1988 as the fifth grade science teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School in the Perry Community School District. She next became the seventh grade science teacher at the Perry Community Middle School.
In addition, Waggie served as the assistant cross country coach and as the head coach for the Perry Middle School girls track and field program. She was honored by WHO-TV with their Golden Apple Award in recognition of her excellence as an educator.
In 1996 Waggie died of breast cancer. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Mary Waggie Relays at the Perry Middle School.
The Mary Waggie Scholarship is presented annually to a graduating senior who is successfully involved in Perry High School activities, who has achieved academic excellence and who represents the ideals of good citizenship.
Waggie’s family includes her husband, Kirk Waggie; sons, Aaron and Gabe; grandchildren, Noah and Ava; daughter, Lisa Waggie Damman and husband, Bill; grandchildren, Emma and James; and parents, Dale and Dorothy Green.
“Thanks to all the workers who helped make the Mary Waggie Relays a success,” said Perry Community School District Superintendent Lynn Ubben. “A fun tribute to a neat lady.”
