Great Ms. Mary Niblack
Lake Sunset - For more than six decades, Mrs. Mary D. Niblack has been a quiet force and steady presence in the award winning Lake Sunset neighborhood. As a longtime resident, retired educator, and devoted advocate, she has helped shape the spirit and strength of the neighborhood.
She has lived in Lake Sunset since the early 1960s, moving there with her husband, the late Ernest Niblack, shortly after he returned from military service. The couple was among the first residents in a collection of newly built homes bordering what would later become an apartment complex. Recalling how they discovered the neighborhood, Mrs. Niblack said, “We were living in an apartment when we got married. His [Mr. Niblack] friend worked for a lawyer, and they were building homes on Ohio [Ave] and Jacobs [Place]. That’s how we ended up in this neighborhood.”
Their home, modest but full of love, became the foundation for a life of service and connection. Over the years, Mrs. Niblack raised her daughters, welcomed grandchildren, and witnessed the transformation of the community around her. Through it all, her love for the neighborhood never wavered.
Born and raised in Orlando, Mrs. Niblack’s early years were shaped by a strong work ethic and a deep commitment to education. Her father worked as a fruit picker in the Dr. Phillips area, and she spent part of her childhood in farm housing before moving to the Parramore community with her mother. The Orlando she grew up in has changed dramatically. “There were beautiful homes that were replaced because of I-4,” she reflected. “We lived in a big apartment building on Division. It’s a parking lot now for the [Orlando] Magic.” She also lived in the Orlando Housing Authority’s Lake Mann Homes as a child.
She attended local schools, including the original Jones High School, then located where the Callahan Neighborhood Center now stands. Inspired by her stepmother, who was also an educator, Mrs. Niblack went on to attend Florida A&M University and became a teacher, spending over 40 years in the classroom! She began her teaching career at Holden Street School, where the Orlando Police Headquarters now sits. “There were so many students,” she remembered. “We had double sessions, one class in the morning, another in the afternoon, because there wasn’t enough room. That’s why they built Washington Shores and later Orange Center.” Mrs. Niblack would go on to teach at both Washington Shores Elementary and Orange Center Elementary schools.
Outside the classroom, she poured her time and energy into her neighborhood. As a founding member of the Lake Sunset Neighborhood Association, she served as treasurer for over 15 years! In those early years, the association worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life in Lake Sunset, securing grants, planning beautification projects, and launching programs for both youth and seniors. “When we first started, we got a grant… and that’s hard work,” she said. “We got the sign up there at the entrance, and we planted trees and flowers. A lot of the crepe myrtles you see in the neighborhood, we planted those.” With a smile, she remembered the vibrant landscape of her own front yard. “We have two white crepe myrtles in front of the house, and my husband said, ‘Get a red one,’ so we planted that in the center. The whites are blossoming right now. It’s very pretty.”
Even as the neighborhood changed, especially when the aging Orange Center apartment complexes fell into decline, Mrs. Niblack remained committed. She advocated for better conditions and consistently held property managers accountable. Her persistence paid off when the rundown apartments were eventually replaced by the well-kept Pandana Senior Living facility just across the street from her home. “I was beating myself up that we didn’t move,” she admitted. “But now, it’s quiet. It’s well-kept. I was happy about that.”
Today, Mrs. Niblack continues to be a source of strength and encouragement in her community. Her legacy is woven into the streets and gardens of Lake Sunset, into the lives of her former students, and into the hearts of neighbors who have watched her lead with quiet grace. Now a blossoming puzzle enthusiast, she also remains active in neighborhood life and takes joy in watching younger generations carry the work forward. “I’m very happy to see the younger ones working,” she said. “I hope [the neighborhood association] will continue.”
