Mary E. Fink, 1916-2000, the daughter of Lawrence and Mary Lapinska grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. She graduated from Shortridge High School and attended college at Westminster in Pennsylvania and Indiana Central Business College in Indianapolis, Indiana. On June 16, 1937, she married Louis Fink, owner of Concession Equipment and Supply Company. Louis died in 1987. They had one child, Lee Ann, born in 1947.

On her 1980 vita, Fink stated her occupation as housewife and professional volunteer. She began her career as a volunteer in the 1950s serving in various capacities with the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW). Her involvement with the Jewish community included the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, the Sisterhood of I.H.C., the Indiana Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, the Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Welfare Federation, and the Indianapolis Chapter of Hadassah. Throughout her life, Fink remained committed to community service. Her causes included youth and education, religious community affairs, housing, and the elderly. She actively served a variety of community organizations as a board member or on committees for the organization. One of her most active memberships was the Indianapolis Section of the National Council of Jewish Women. Through her involvement in the NCJW, she extended her volunteer participation into various areas of influence advancing the ideals and mission of the NCJW as well as the cause of community betterment. She served as president of NCJW from 1962-1964 and on committees with the Indianapolis Section, Regional Council, and the National Council of the organization. An active volunteer, Mary served as president and director of the Indianapolis Meals on Wheels, Inc., director and chairman of the School and Community Relations Committee of the Indianapolis City PTA Board, Chairman of Publicity for the Hooverwood Jewish Home, Archives chairman for the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, and several other organizations.

Mary Fink received a variety of awards for her role in the Indianapolis community including the David M. Cook Memorial Award from the Jewish Community Relations Council, the Hannah G. Solomon Award from the National Council of Jewish Women, and the Those Special People Award from Theta Sigma Psi Women in Communications.

Among the organizations she held board positions with during her lifetime are:

Hooverwood Jewish Home for the Aged Indiana Jewish Historical Society Indiana Religious History Association Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council Indianapolis Jewish Family and Children's Service Indianapolis Meals on Wheels, Inc. Indianapolis Section, National Council of Jewish Women Project HOPE (Hospital Ship) Indianapolis Welfare Service League (Auxiliary to Marion County Department of Public Welfare) YWCA