Mary would make various attempts at a comeback in the years that followed, all to no avail. She turned her attention to producing, working at Untited Artists for various films through the 1950's. There she would remain until 1951, selling her interests in the company as it was near bankruptcy. The intervening years would not be kind. In 1928, her beloved mother Charlotte passed away leaving Mary to cope with her insecurities and the changing times in the film industry. The 1930's would see her brother Jack and sister Lottie die of their self destructive behaviors and leave Mary a lonely,broken-hearted, divorcee, losing what was left of her family and her marriage. To cope with such heartache, Mary instinctively threw herself into charitable works including opening the Motion Picture Retirement Home and other such worthwhile projects. She would occasionally appear on radio in the 40's and be the hostess at PickFair for various benefits. As time marched on, Mary became increasingly reclusive, rarely leaving PickFair except for film tributes, award ceremonies and charity work. She remarked, "I have worked all of my life since I was a little girl and now I am going to rest". Surrounded by her past, Mary turned to drink to forget her present. She had begun to drink earlier but was able to hide her problem from the public. In her will, Mary had stipulated that her films be destroyed after her passing. Horrified, her childhood friend and actress Lillian Gish thankfully persuaded her against such a drastic action, saying "Those aren't your films anymore, they belong to the world". In 1976 the Acamdemy presented Mary with a lifetime acheivement award for her contribution to film and motion picture history. As she was being handed the award, she uttered in a fragile, shaky voice, tears in her eyes, "I shall treasure it always". Three years later, Mary was rushed to the hospital after suffering a stroke. During the night, she quietly slipped away into film immortality but remains in the hearts of her many countless fans around the world as "Little Mary".