Aged to Perfection

Mary McAnena’s life took a dramatic turn the day she saw a homeless woman using her fingers to eat pork and beans out of a can.

Moved by compassion, McAnena, then 81, began feeding the homeless, using part of her pension to buy the makings for hot meals that she served to needy men and women at W.O. Hart Park in Orange.

Fourteen years later, Mary’s Kitchen has evolved into a program staffed by 50 volunteers and serving more than 10,000 meals a year.

On Sunday, 300 friends, relatives and admirers gathered at Holy Family Cathedral to celebrate McAnena’s 95th birthday and her legacy of compassion.

“The only reason I could ever regret getting my life back together is because I don’t get to see Mary every day,” said Terry Schmidt, who describes himself as “one of Mary’s men.”

“For a little over two years she fed me and clothed me,” he said. “She cares for people when they don’t care for themselves.”

Irish readings, step-dancing and bagpipes were part of the festivities to honor McAnena, a native of Ireland who speaks with a light brogue. As well-wishers greeted her with hugs, kisses and praise, she spoke of her motivation for helping the homeless.

“I love people,” she said. “I think it’s our duty to help each other. We are all brothers and sisters.”

McAnena was born March 10, 1903, and emigrated to the United States at 19. She worked as a nurse for 30 years and a teacher for seven. She lives in Orange.

The Rev. Patrick Rudolph said McAnena has a deep spirituality that compels her to help others.

“Her faith makes her do what she does,” Rudolph said. “She not only knows her faith, she lives it.”

As Mary’s Kitchen grew rapidly in the 1980s, it began to draw complaints from people who lived near the park. So the program moved to leased space at 517 W. Struck Ave. In 1995, with a grant from the St. Joseph Health System Foundation, McAnena bought the two modular buildings as a permanent home for the program.

The kitchen serves breakfast, bag lunches and hot dinners to about 60 people every day, said Gloria Suess, who has been volunteering there for 13 years. The facility also has two showers and a washer and dryer, as well as a large supply of donated clothing.

The kitchen is funded exclusively through contributions and is staffed by Holy Family parishioners.

McAnena’s three children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren came from New York to share in Sunday’s celebration. Long tables were covered with plaques, certificates, proclamations and pictures, testimony to McAnena’s exceptional works.

Though declining health now prevents McAnena from taking an active part in the kitchen’s operation, she still visits frequently to see how things are going and lend a hand.

“We come into this world with nothing, and we leave with nothing,” McAnena said. “It’s the good we do while we’re here that counts.”