At 90, Dearborn Senior Mary Ellison Still Brings Home the Gold

It's not too common to hear about a 90-year-old taking home two Olympic gold medals, but that's exactly what happened this week for Mary Ellison of Dearborn, who competed in the 2013 Western Wayne County Senior Olympics on Tuesday.

Ellison, who says she has been swimming for 85 years, participated in the breaststroke and freestyle competitions in Wayne.

"It was a lot of fun," Ellison said. "I don't normally participate in competitive swim, but my granddaughter has been pushing me to try some new things."

Ellison said she previously participated in the Olympic games, winning a total of six medals. She stopped briefly after turning 88 to help take care of her son, who was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease."

"I told myself that when I turn 90, I would go back and swim," she said.

Ellison said she has always enjoyed swimming, and taught herself how to tread water while visiting her grandmother's cottage in Walled Lake.

"My mother was afraid of the water, but I would spend days at the diving board during summer vacations swimming as often as I could," she recalls.

The Dearborn resident said swimming gives her a sense of freedom. When she's not gardening outdoors, she can be found at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center swimming laps, or hanging out with other seniors.

"I try to do 40 or 50 laps once a week," she said. "It keeps me healthy, along with eating the right things and taking care of my body."

At 90, Ellison said she has no plans to quit swimming anytime soon.

"My doctor said that I will live to be 100," she said. "I don't know if I'll compete in the Olympics in the future because I don't have the energy that I used to, but I'll keep swimming."

Ellison and other seniors will participate in the closing banquet and medals ceremony on Aug. 16 at Belleville High School. For more information, visit the Western Wayne County Olympics website.