Though she left TRC in 1993, Mary Andrews still commands a lot of love, admiration and respect. That fact was borne out when more than 150 people came to witness the October 18 dedication of the Work Center on East Chestnut Street in Mary’s honor.

Mary’s efforts led to the creation in 1963 of TRC’s first programs in the Dunkirk area, and for more than 30 years she was the face and personality of The Resource Center in Northern Chautauqua County. She retired in 1993, and several years ago the Board of Directors decided to name the Dunkirk Work Center in Mary’s honor in recognition of her positive influence on TRC and on the lives of individuals with disabling conditions.

On an overcast but warm day, dozens of well-wishers came to see Mary and share in her special day as the Work Center was officially named the Mary Andrews Center. Mary and her daughter Carolyn (who used to participate in the Dunkirk Work Center and lived in a TRC home) flew up from Florida for the event, and her other children were there as well: daughter Jane, who lives in Angola; son Thom, who recently moved to North Carolina from the Finger Lakes area; and son Tim, who came in from California.

Also present were many other family members, friends, former co-workers, and TRC service recipients, some of whom were reuniting with an old friend, but many who were meeting Mary for the first time.

The large group of people gathered outside the front of the Work Center. Executive Director Paul Cesana greeted the assembled guests and gave a history of Mary’s involvement with TRC.

“It’s absolutely fantastic to see so many of your friends and past colleagues and people that have participated in the programs and have been the beneficiary of your heart and soul and effort through the years,” Paul said. “Thank you so much, Mary, and we’re thrilled to dedicate this building to you.”

Mary Andrews holds up a painting created by Rita Gennuso, who was one of the people involved with TRC's Dunkirk programs when they began in 1963. Rita still participates in the program today. Pictured with Mary are Nancy Ingram, TRC's Assistant Executive Director for Service Operations, and Executive Director Paul Cesana.

Next to speak was Wayne Hotelling, a member of TRC’s Board who has known Mary since his daughter Laurel began participating in the Dunkirk program in the 1960s. It was at Mary’s persistence that Wayne decided to join the Board in the mid ‘80s. “It was Mary who got my wife and I involved in The Resource Center,” Wayne said. “You’re responsible for the 22 years that I have been involved with the Board. I can’t thank you enough for what you have done for our people.”

Greg Krauza, who used to be on TRC’s Board and now serves on the Board of TRC Foundation, was next to speak. Greg remembered his introduction to TRC began more than 40 years when, as a child, he helped the Work Center participants sort unsold seeds for the former Fredonia Seed Company — the first subcontracting job ever performed by the Work Center, which at the time was located in the basement of the Dunkirk First United Presbyterian Church.

“My relationship with Mary started in her back yard in a tree house in 1965 when I was friends with her son Tim,” Greg said. “It was just natural: if you hung out with Tim, and you hung out with Mary, you ended up in the basement of the church.” Greg said he continued volunteering at the Work Center as it changed locations over the years due to the program’s expansion.

Greg’s brother, Michael, has Down syndrome and has received services from TRC over the years. On behalf of himself and his family, Greg thanked Mary for the support she provided throughout her career at TRC.

“I hope your legacy continues.”

Because she retired in 1993, many TRC employees are unfamiliar with Mary. One person who did have the privilege of working with Mary was Nancy Ingram, Assistant Executive Director for Service Operations, whose career with the agency began in 1974.

“I don’t think there are very many of us who could command a crowd this size 13 years after we leave The Resource Center. Mary, this in itself is a tribute to you,” said Nancy.

She added that at the time she started working for TRC, “If you heard about the Dunkirk programs at all, you heard about Mary, because Mary and the Dunkirk programs were synonymous; they were the same thing. Mary was the Dunkirk operation of the agency.

“One thing you learned almost immediately from Mary was that the people that were attending these programs came first, and Mary’s decisions and everything she did was based on that simple premise; that everything that went on here, it had to be for the best for them. If you keep in your mind what Mary always did — do the best thing for the people that we’re here for — you can’t go wrong.”

Fred Bohn, a Work Center participant who knew Mary in the 1960s and still keeps in touch with her, was next to speak. “You are one of the best,” Fred told Mary. “You’re a wonderful person and a great friend.”

One of the guests in attendance was Dunkirk Mayor Dick Frey. “Can you imagine the seed you planted here how many years ago?” he asked Mary. “Today this tree has grown into this. We are truly gifted here in Dunkirk for what you’ve given us over all the years.”

“This is what it’s all about,” Mary said when it was her turn to speak. “My walking in here and having the clients come up and greet me. It’s just too overwhelming.”

She remarked that during one of her return visits in recent years, she went to Wal-Mart and encountered a man who had participated in the Work Center Program in the 1960s and now worked as a greeter at the store.

“He said, `Mrs. Andrews, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here now.’ And that to me is the greatest tribute I could have ever gotten from anybody.”

Mary acknowledged TRC for making it possible for her to achieve all that she accomplished during her tenure. “I also want to thank the agency for the support that they gave me all those years. I couldn’t have done it without their backing and their faith.”

At that point Rita Gennuso, who was involved in the Work Center Program when it first opened and who continues at the Chestnut Street facility, came forward. Rita is an accomplished artist, and on behalf of the agency, she presented Mary with one of her paintings.

“We were always proud of Rita’s artwork,” said Mary, adding that Rita’s designs occasionally were incorporated into the agency’s holiday cards.

Closing out the speeches was Mary’s daughter Carolyn, who praised her mother for all she has done on her behalf over the years.

“My mom is very special to me. I love her very much, and I wouldn’t know what to do without here.”

After Carolyn spoke, a covering on the outside wall was removed to reveal the building’s new signage: TRC’s logo, with “Mary Andrews Center” written beneath.

The crowd then went indoors to enjoy refreshments, look at old photographs and share stories. It was a wonderful day for a wonderful person who played a vital role in TRC’s long, successful history.

A look at Mary Andrews' time at TRC - Click here

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Mary remains active, working as the “Office Manager and Wisdom Dispenser” at an agency in Florida that provides art classes to individuals with disabilities. You can contact Mary at mary@creativeclay.org. The strong foundation that Mary laid at TRC continues today, providing employment and work training opportunities to more than 100 people in Northern Chautauqua County. To support the work that Mary started, click here