Mary Anne’s Story

To meet Mary Anne, who has a kind word for everyone she comes across, you might not guess her trailblazing past.

Fresh out of high school, Mary Anne entered the workforce in a career previously available only to men, who were then away during the war. That’s how she became the first woman hired into the newsroom at the newspaper in Johnstown, PA.

Today, many decades later, the 90+ year old North Hills woman still keeps up with current events and enjoys discussing world affairs with her grocery shopping volunteer from United Way’s Open Your Heart to a Senior program, Melissa. Without Melissa’s help, a trip to the store would be much more challenging and much less enjoyable.

“Melissa helps me find bargains,” Mary Anne says, “and the ingredients for whatever I’m going to make.”

“I’ve always liked to cook and bake,” Mary Anne adds, “so it’s a real treat to share that time with Melissa.”

“My mother was the Cookie Queen,” Mary Anne says smiling. She is happy to pass along her years of culinary experience to Melissa, including her family’s Civil-War-era recipe for Sand Tarts.

Mary Anne likes to stay busy and thanks to volunteer support, she can. From a group of friends she’s joined for regular lunches over the past 35 years to being involved with her church to weekly grocery shopping with Melissa, she’s able to be on the go, just the way she likes it.