Queen of the Month: Mary Jo Fritz – A Life Lived in Color

The Red Hat Society is built on friendship, fun, and living life to the fullest, and no one embodies this spirit better than our February Queen of the Month, Mary Jo Fritz, also known as Queen Crafty Red Hatter. With a story filled with resilience, adventure, and creativity, Mary Jo's journey is as inspiring as the vibrant community she has helped nurture. 

A Life Rooted in Strength and Learning

Born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Mary Jo was adopted by two loving parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Ricco, and spent most of her childhood in Greendale, Wisconsin. A dedicated scholar, she graduated from Greendale High School in 1981 with honors before embarking on a lifelong pursuit of education. With degrees in computer science, networking, business, applied science, cosmetology, and medical billing and coding, Mary Jo’s career has been as diverse as it is impressive.

Her professional path led her through various fields, including a particularly memorable role in medical billing for an ambulance company—an experience she describes as filled with “wild” stories. However, in 2015, a cancer diagnosis changed the course of her life, forcing her to step away from work. But as one chapter closed, another opened—her deep dive into the Red Hat Society.

A Love Story for the Ages

Mary Jo’s love story with her late husband is the kind that belongs in a novel. The two met in an AOL finance chat room, bonding over stock trading. Ever cautious, she insisted they chat for months before meeting in person. When he finally planned a visit, her mother, ever protective, devised a signal—flashing lights five times if Mary Jo felt unsafe. Of course, the moment he arrived, her mother and friends took one look and declared, "Oh, he’s perfect for her!"

Their romance blossomed, and he proposed at the airport in grand style, roses in hand, announcing it to the entire plane. They built a life together in New Jersey, and he later adopted her son as his own. Sadly, he passed away in 2002, leaving Mary Jo a widow, but his love and legacy remain a cherished part of her story.

The Red Hat Sisterhood – A New Beginning

Mary Jo’s journey with the Red Hat Society began when she joined a chapter in New Jersey in 1989, though she didn’t officially register until much later. It was after moving back to Wisconsin in 2003 that she discovered the true magic of RHS. With the encouragement of fellow members like Marsha Elmer and Laura Martin from Hatquarters, Mary Jo embraced the joy of the sisterhood, eventually founding her own chapter. This year, she celebrates a decade of leadership as a Queen.

A particularly unforgettable moment in Mary Jo's Red Hat journey was attending the 2016 International Convention in San Antonio, Texas where she met Founder & Exalted Queen Mother Sue Ellen Cooper. The experience solidified her love for RHS, as she connected with the very woman who started it all. Meeting Sue Ellen was both humbling and energizing, inspiring Mary Jo to embrace the sisterhood with open arms.

Through RHS, Mary Jo has found a way to blend her love for crafting with community-building. Whether designing websites, creating graphics, or putting together stunning projects for conventions, she pours her heart into every detail. Her Mimosa Luncheons and Wisconsin Hatventions have become beloved traditions, drawing Red Hatters together in laughter and camaraderie.

The Heart of a Queen

For Mary Jo, being a Queen is about more than just wearing a crown—it’s about sharing the joy of RHS and encouraging others to find their own place in the sisterhood. “You don’t truly understand how wonderful this community is until someone sits down and explains it to you. One day, they, too, can open a chapter and become Queen.”

Her personal motto is one to live by: “Always be kind. Straighten another’s crown when it’s crooked. Always be positive and have a blast!” She also has a signature approach to life—going through it sideways, yelling ‘Weeee! What a grand time!’

A Future Filled with Hope and Sisterhood

Despite her ongoing battle with cancer, Mary Jo remains a vibrant force in the Red Hat Society. She continues to host events, inspire her Chapterettes, and dream of future gatherings, including another Hatvention in 2026. Her ultimate goal? To one day become an RHS Ambassador, spreading the joy of Red Hatting even further.

When asked what RHS means to her, Mary Jo sums it up simply: “Becoming a Red Hatter saved my life and continues to do so today.”

We are honored to celebrate Queen Crafty Red Hatter, a woman of resilience, passion, and endless creativity. Here’s to Mary Jo Fritz—an extraordinary Queen who truly lives her Extra Life, the Red Hat Way