Published: May 16, 2008 06:41 pm      

PROFILE: Mary McKenna is the senior citizen of the year

North Tonawanda resident, ardent volunteer named county’s top senior

Mary McKenna is the kind of person who does what she can to help others, never seeking praise for herself.

Which is why the long-time resident of the Carousel Park Apartments in North Tonawanda found it a bit overwhelming last week when she was honored as this year’s Niagara County Senior Citizen of the Year.

“I heard that I was nominated, but I didn’t pay too much attention to it to be truthful,” McKenna said.

Soft-spoken by nature, McKenna prefers to allow her actions to speak for themselves. She is a regular volunteer at the North Tonawanda Senior Center, which is adjacent to the Carousel Park Apartments where McKenna has lived for the past 13 years. Her efforts tie in with her philosophy on life: make yourself happy by doing things to make others happy.

“I enjoy being with people,” said McKenna, who was born in Niagara Falls. “We’re like family. We enjoy being with each other.”

McKenna’s “family” at the senior center and in the apartment complex has come to count on her to help whenever a need arises, according to Pam Hogan, program coordinator for the center. Hogan said McKenna is always there to help with parties and events and regularly volunteers for senior center activities. In addition, McKenna serves as chairperson of the Sunshine Club, a group that is responsible for sending get-well cards to community members who are feeling under the weather and notes of support to people who recently lost loved ones.

“Every time we have a special event, she does whatever she can do to make the event successful,” Hogan said. “She’s just one of those people who are the backbone of the senior center.”

McKenna’s also the building’s official keeper of the times. For the past five years, McKenna has served as the center’s historian, collecting newspaper articles, thank you notes and other tidbits of information that serve to document the people who have come and gone and the events that have taken place at the Carousel Park Apartments over the years.

McKenna’s oldest son, Mike, said he’s proud of the work his mother does and continues to be amazed by her ability to give so freely of herself to others.

“As long as I can remember, my mother has always helped people,” he said. “She’s always been that way.”

The Niagara County Senior Citizen of the Year is an annual award presented by the county Office for the Aging. It is presented each May as part of Older Americans Month.

While appreciative of her award and all the praise from fellow residents at Carousel Park Apartments and senior center staff, McKenna is quick to note that she wouldn’t be able to do what she does without the support of those around her.

“Everybody helps,” she said.