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Mary Gettemeier Selected Chamber 2016 Business Person of the Year
She will be honored at luncheon on Jan. 20
The Greater North County Chamber of Commerce has selected Mary Gettemeier, owner of The Flower Pot, as its 2016 Business Person of the Year. A member of the Chamber since 1985, Gettemeier will be recognized at the Chamber’s Membership Luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Norwood Hills Country Club.
Mary and her husband, Gene, opened The Flower Pot in Florissant 30 years ago. The location has changed a few times, but the business has remained in Florissant. The Flower Pot has been in its current location on St. Anthony Lane for more than 20 years.
As the shop’s owner and operator, Mary provides floral arrangements to Florissant and beyond. She was especially honored to have the family of Michael Blassie, the only soldier to be identified from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers in Arlington, Virginia, choose The Flower Pot to provide floral arrangements for his burial at Jefferson Barracks. The Flower Pot has been voted #1 in North County for many years and was awarded “Best in Weddings” by The Knot bridal magazine and website.
A longtime Florissant resident, Mary has served as a Board Member of the Valley of Flowers Festival over 20 years. She has been secretary for more than 10 years. She also helps the queen candidates, coordinates judging for the parade, chaperones the Court to various events and has what she calls the “Valley of Flowers Auxiliary Office.”
Recently Gettemeier served as a judge for St. Mark’s Chili & Dessert Cook-off (a job she thoroughly enjoyed).
As an active member of St. Rose Philippine Duchenne Parish, she serves as a Eucharistic Minister, provides casseroles for St. Patrick’s Center and delivers weekly floral arrangements for the altar. She has received recognition for her service to the Girl Scouts, the Florissant Jaycees, American Legion Auxiliary #444, Florissant Historical Society, Historic Florissant, Valley Industries and many other organizations.
Gettemeier graduated from Incarnate Word Academy, where she is very involved in the Alumnae Association, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She received formal training as a florist at Hixson’s School of Floral Design in Ohio.
Her two children are Ginny (Gettemeier) Beauchemin of Falls Church, Virginia, and Patti (Gettemeier) Hellrung of O’Fallon, Missouri. She also has two granddaughters.
The Chamber’s Member Luncheon costs $25 per person, with a reservation deadline of Monday, Jan. 18, at noon. To reserve a seat, call the Chamber office at 314-831-3500 or register online at www.greaternorthcountychamber.com.
