Hungry County Street People Find a Home in Her Heart

A true friend is one who takes you in when the rest of the world has cast you out.

--From a birthday card given by homeless people to Mary McAnena.

Those she loves remembered Mary McAnena on Thursday with a signed birthday card that touched her.

Once she had fed them, McAnena personally thanked each of the 40 people who have congregated on weekdays for the 2 p.m. ritual that she began 18 months ago at W. O. Hart Memorial Park in Orange. On her 85th birthday, they feasted on soup, chicken, pasta and day-old supermarket cake.

Because of her devotion to helping those who go hungry on Orange County streets, McAnena coincidentally was saluted Thursday night as Citizen of the Year by the local chapter of the National Assn. of Social Workers Inc.

“She’s a saint if there ever was one,� said Larry Bonham, one of a handful of people who help her distribute the food.

Even for a devout Catholic such as McAnena, reaching sainthood is a complicated process, and the Vatican will decide who deserves the designation.

But simply special, McAnena surely is.

Before arriving at the park Thursday, the former nurse visited her local beauty parlor to get dolled up for the evening festivities. A nosy visitor asked if she had dyed her hair, her blond waves displaying a hint of auburn in the sunlight.

“It’s naturally Irish blond,� she protested.

McAnena teased that she thought she had turned 75 instead of 85.

No matter the age, the prim and proper native of Ireland still has a bounce to her step and a warm glance from her blue-gray eyes, a hug and a word of encouragement for all those she loves.

As she ladled chicken soup from a huge pot, McAnena told the group of mostly men clad in well-worn work clothes, “I cook everything with love, the love of God and the love of people.�

Before you know it, her delicate Irish cadence has melted hearts again.

Mary McAnena was born in Ireland and lived there most of her life “in a big house.� Her husband, James McAnena, was an engineer who used “to sing me ‘The Bells of St. Mary’s.’ Oh, what a beautiful voice he had.�

James died in 1979, two years after they moved to Orange. She does not lack for anything, and her children and grandchildren are all successful.

But when McAnena dies, she will have nothing to leave behind because her mission, she says, is to spend what she has to help others. She pays for most of the food she prepares.

“I don’t believe in hoarding. I have this great love for people, and I want to give to them. My family can take care of themselves. I’ll take care of my friends here,� she said, gesturing to the homeless people eating off her dishware at the picnic tables.

Then, cradling the arm of her escort and reflecting as she toured the park grounds making sure everyone was eating well, she made her point:

“See how special people are and how people don’t appreciate them.�

Then she tapped each one gently on the shoulder and whispered what she feels down in the deep, deep well that is her heart.

“I love you all so much.�

Next she found a table of Latino men who spoke no English. One was feeding a grubby but adorable 2-year-old boy.

“Oh, I must bring him clothes for the baby tomorrow. Please, ask them if they need anything,� said McAnena, finding more strays to love and help.

Even a casual visitor to the park can sense that the homeless who come to eat McAnena’s food show up mostly to see her. Life is grimy and lonely on the streets, and those who live there don’t often get much compassion.

“Mary is very special and I love her,� said one bearded homeless man, delving into his second helping of cake.

There were a few misty eyes among the homeless who lined up for their meal. None failed to embrace McAnena, to mumble how much they appreciate her.

In her pre-meal prayer, McAnena gave thanks for living such a fruitful life and having so many people to love. She ended by saying, “I pray that you all will find jobs so you can take care of me when I get old.�

Herbert J. Vida is on vacation.