The late member of the Class of 1971 was known for her love of the university, caring for the campus cats, and picking up litter during her walks.
The late Mary Cannon Cabot was known for making her community a better, cleaner place. Cabot was a member of Saint Leo University’s Class of 1971, a former university employee, and the wife of 48 years of Board of Trustees member Dr. Bob Cabot ’71, ’06. She was a familiar sight as she took long walks throughout the campus and its neighboring streets, picking up litter and making the town and the environment better, living her alma mater’s core values of responsible stewardship and community.
In July 2022, Mary Cannon Cabot received a proclamation from the St. Leo Town Commission citing her giving “generously of her time and energy to preserve the character and quality of life in St. Leo through her beautification efforts.”
Now, the memory of the lifelong resident of St. Leo/San Antonio will be honored during the town’s Mary Cannon Cabot Beautification Month.
Events planned for October include:
Weeding & Planting
Thursday, October 3
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
This community beautification project will take place at locations throughout St. Leo including:
Holy Name Monastery entrance (Wichers Road), Saint Leo University roundabout, Saint Leo Abbey Golf Course sign, and On Q Smokehouse entrance sign. If there are enough volunteers, work will be done at the university’s footbridge and lakefront dock.
Participants must RSVP to ensure their spot for lunch at On Q Smokehouse Grill and an event T-shirt (while supplies last).
Sign up by Monday, September 23, on the form here, or contact St. Leo Town Hall at (352) 588-2622.
County Road 52 Cleanup and Pool Party
Saturday, October 12
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Participants will walk along County 52 and pick up trash from the future Town Center property (C.R. 52 and Lemon Street) to Town Hall (34544 C.R. 52) and Discover Fellowship Church (time and volunteers permitting).
Participants must RSVP to participate and ensure their spot for the poolside lunch at Chef Jon’s Gourmet Nutrition at Café 36 at the Saint Leo University Wellness Center and receive an event T-shirt (while supplies last). An after-party will be held at the pool — swimmers welcome!
Sign up by Saturday, September 28, on the form here, or contact Town Hall at (352) 588-2622.
Mary’s Birthday Bash
Friday, October 18
6:30 p.m.
This is a community food drive for people and pets to be hosted on the future site of the Town History Center (blue building at the corner of County Road 52 and Lemon Street). Please bring Meow Mix Tender Cuts hard cat food or Friskies Pate cat food for Mary Cannon Cabot’s cherished on-campus cats and the Lucky Lions volunteers who care for them. All other pet food will be given to support the animals at Paws of Love, a nonprofit organization and university community service project that supports sheltered, rescued, and service animals.
Donations of “people food” will go to the Saint Leo University Student Government Union (SGU) Food Pantry, which helps meet the food security needs of students. There will be a “moonlight walk” to Cup of Organic for desserts and refreshments. RSVP here or call Town Hall at (352) 588-2622 by Tuesday, October 8, to ensure dessert and refreshments. Drop-off donations are welcome!
Thank You Dinner
Tuesday, October 29
6 p.m.
Daniel A. Cannon Memorial Library, Saint Leo University
Hosted by Saint Leo University, this dinner is for the sponsors and those who participated in the community events. Celebrate with good food, great friends, and fundraising to make next year even better. There will be music, a silent auction, and basket raffles. Register for the event here or call (352) 588-2622 by Saturday, October 19. The event will take place in the university’s library, which is named after Cabot’s father, Daniel A. Cannon.
Supporting the event
Sponsors of Mary Cannon Cabot Beautification Month include First National Bank of Pasco, Saint Leo University Facilities Management, Saint Leo University, Blalock Walters Attorneys at Law, Waste Connections, and several community members.
To be a sponsor, contact Town Hall at (352) 588-2622 or fill out the online form here
Volunteer
Register for events here.