Mary T. Westerhold was born and raised in Edwardsville, along with her six older brothers. Mary attended St. Boniface Grade School and Edwardsville High School and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Actuarial Science. Mary has one daughter who is married and lives in the area.
History has always been a passion and by the time Mary was in high school, she had begun to research her family history. After working in the insurance industry for over 19 years, Mary quit to pursue my passion in history. Mary began volunteering in the library at the Madison County Historical Museum and a year later she joined the staff. Mary has now been there 18 years.
Mary was the past president of the Madison County Genealogical Society, on the Governing Board of the Illinois State Genealogical Society, and on the board of the Woodlawn Cemetery Association. Mary used her family history research skill to write the scripts for Woodlawn Cemetery’s annual Voices of the Past event where local actors portray residents of the cemetery.
