Two years ago, former NC bookstore manager Mary Yena received news her husband was ill. Since last March, his condition progressively worsened. Failing to see improvements, Yena announced her intent to retire in September. On Dec. 28, Yena officially retired from LT, but she left a large mark on the high school and community.

“We are fortunate at LT to have so many amazing people, and Mary is a great example of that,” Principal Brian Waterman said.

In 1962, Yena moved into a 92-year-old house on the Perot Farm in Western Springs with her brothers and parents. Just four years later, Dr. Donald Reber showed up at their door unannounced, stating their house was preventing the addition of Bennett field. LT wanted to buy the property. Taken aback, Yena’s parents were conflicted.

“It’s not that they didn’t want to [sell the house], it’s that it took them completely by surprise,” Yena said.

Eventually deciding the right thing to do was sell their house, Yena’s family moved to the other side of Western Springs; several years later, Yena became a proud member of the LT class of 1972.

“I love LT,” Yena said. “LT has been a part of my heart since I was a little kid. I met my husband in high school. We went to homecoming junior year and the rest is history. We’ve been married for almost 42 years.”

Yena and her husband raised a family in the community, and her three sons-Michael, Matt and Mark– grew up admiring LT sports. The boys attended LT themselves, adding to the Yena family legacy. Yena began working at the NC bookstore 15 years ago, taking on many overlooked roles.

At the end of each school year, it is the bookstore’s job to hand count all books and school supplies, down to every last eraser, and take inventory, Yena said. New books and supplies are then ordered and the school processing operation begins.

“A good portion of the employees get to have the summers off, but there are several departments that work all summer,” Yena said. “It’s not easy. We need every single minute to get things packed, and get it right. It takes time to do it the right way. The summers are a lot of work, but [they] are fun.”

Yena has worked with many kids over the summer, along with her three sons, especially Michael and Mark. They have contributed much of their time to assisting Yena in the heavy lifting and dirty work that coincides with processing.

“I’ve always called them ‘The Commandos,’” Yena said. “They are the ones that move things. They do just about everything [and] give me a little comic relief.”

Alongside handling books and supplies during the year and organizing the April processing, Yena’s priority is the students and their wellbeing. Students often showed up at the bookstore with questions and concerns, and it was Yena and the rest of the bookstore staff that committed to assisting them.

“The mark she would want to leave on LT is the kindness she shared everyday with the students and staff she interacted with,” Mark said.

Over the years, the job has begun to slowly change because of the new computers they’ve installed, Yena said. The computers are used for contacting people instead of previously when phones and in-person conversations were the main source of communication. Yena still found a way to appreciate human interaction in light of the ample technological advancements.

“I like the human touch, and the human part of contacting people, rather than the computer contacting people,” Yena said. “Over the years I’ve had many parents that have called and needed help, and I enjoyed helping people with things, and the computer just can’t do that. It’s the human touch, it’s talking with people. I’m a people-person I guess.”

Yena’s retirement will allow for the opening of many new doors, she said. Her five grandchildren will take up much of her time, as well as her ill husband.

“I am extremely happy she is retiring,” Mark said. “She has busted her butt for over 40 years. She has worked hard, day in and day out and set a positive example for our family and it is her time to retire. She deserves to live her life surrounded by the people she loves and not have to worry about working anymore.”

On Dec. 20, LTHS staff and faculty gathered in the NC staff cafeteria for Yena’s retirement celebration to honor her dedication and hard work, as well as wish her well in retirement.

Yena plans to stay involved in the alumni association, something that has allowed her to form many bonds over the years with other LT enthusiasts, she said. She held the President position of the association for several years.

“I love the history of LT,” Yena said. “We’re a big school- diverse. This building is pretty neat; it has a place in my heart.”