Chesterfield's Famed 'Tree Lady' Named Citizen of the Year

The Chesterfield City Council has named Mary K. Brown as the 2011 Citizen of the Year. (Editor note: She also goes by Mary Brown-Biddle.)

A selection committee comprised of citizen committee and community volunteers presented their recommendation to the City Council following their review of several nominations. Mayor Bruce Geiger presented Brown with the award at the March 5 City Council Meeting, with many of her family and friends present.

Citizens of the Year are recognized for their benefit to the City of Chesterfield through volunteerism, working on community projects, and overall civic contributions to the community. 

Brown served on the City’s first Planning Commission beginning in June 1988 until March 1994.

She was elected to the Chesterfield Council in 1997 and served until April 2007 representing Ward IV. During this time she served as a liaison to the Planning Commission and also the Beautification Committee.   

Former Chesterfield Mayor Nancy Greenwood was one of many who nominated Brown and said:

“Her priority was to serve Ward IV and she was totally devoted to responding to residents. She was always known fondly as "the tree lady” and served as the Chair of the Tree Preservation Committee of the Moratorium Committee in 1997.” 

The result of her work was the creation of a tree ordinance. She also served on the Citizens’ Airport Awareness Committee for Ward IV from 2004 to 2007. 

“There is no one who has supported the City of Chesterfield and the greater community more steadily and constantly through the years than Mary Brown,” Greenwood said.

Her other contributions to the community include volunteering with Circle of Concern and the League of Women Voters, as well as Chesterfield Kiwanis.

She is a board member of Chesterfield Arts and serves as that organization’s liaison to the City’s Architectural Review Board.

Wendy Geckeler who also nominated Brown said: “Mary’s enthusiasm for Chesterfield has caused many others to become involved in civic endeavors; she exemplifies the very best of a contributing citizen to her community.”

Mayor Geiger said he was honored to be able to present Brown with the City’s award. 

“I have known Mary for a long time. She recruited me to run for City Council in 2001. We served together many years and I have first-hand knowledge of her numerous contributions to our community that go far beyond her involvement with the City,” Geiger said. 

“I want to express my thanks to the committee for making this important decision and choosing Mary as the recipient. It is my absolute pleasure to honor her this evening,” the Mayor said.

Brown has been a resident of Chesterfield since 1981. Her husband is Ken Biddle, daughter Allison (and Steve) Linderman, son Adrian (and Susie) Brown, and grandson, Henry Brown.

Other nominees for Citizen of the Year were Clifford Biele, Jane Durrell, Dan Hurt and Stacey Morse.