GREENVILLE, S.C. —

The Greenville community is mourning the loss of Mary Duckett, who died Sunday at the age of 85.

Greenville Mayor Knox White credited Duckett for helping make Unity Park a reality and considered her a close friend.

"She's the one who stood up and said, 'This is a great idea. For generations, the city has always put its junk in our backyard,'" White said. "She said that, and she was right."

For decades, White said she was a significant presence in the community.

Duckett served as the president of Southernside Neighborhoods in Action and helped bring A.J. Whittenberg Elementary School of Engineering to the Southernside.

"She was all about young people, and they really were drawn to her," White said. "She came to council meetings to make sure the city was doing the

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