Mary Stitt marks fingers of children who have received the polio vaccine.

courtesy of Rotary International

"It keeps me sharp," says Stitt, who has 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. "How dull would it be just to sit around?"

Photo courtesy of Rotary International

A baby receives a polio vaccine.

Photo courtesy Rotary International

Mary Stitt holds a baby during her travels abroad to vaccinate children against polio.

Photo courtesy Rotary International

Mary Stitt, 87, of Arlington Heights is planning her fourth trip to Nigeria, where she helps administer polio vaccines and deliver wheelchairs. Pins on the map show her nearly 50 humanitarian trips since retirement. See story on Page 6.

Bill Zars | Staff Photographer

Mary Stitt, 87, of Arlington Heights has made it her life mission to help eradicate polio worldwide. She is given gifts by people on her worldwide travels, such as this fabric wall hanging from a friend in South Africa.

Bill Zars | Staff Photographer

Mary Stitt helped collect 640 boxes of books for people in Africa.

courtesy Mary Stitt

Mary Stitt of Arlington Heights works with the Wheels of Hope to distribute bicycle wheelchairs to victims of polio. This boy will now have a way to get to school.

courtesy Mary Stitt

Stitt delivers a bicycle wheelchair to a polio survivor in Nigeria.

courtesy of Mary Stitt

Mary Stitt of Arlington Heights works with Wheels of Hope to distribute bicycle wheelchairs to victims of polio so they have a way to get to school.

Courtesy Mary Stitt