Mary McAnena Touched People’s Lives, but Not All in the Same Way

Re “A Memorial for ‘Mother Teresa of Orange,’ ” Dec. 12:

I was privileged to have met Mary McAnena (founder of Mary’s Kitchen). My husband and I ate at Mary’s Kitchen. The servers were warm and friendly, just like Mary. I saw Mary speak to the homeless people. She treated them no differently than one would any other person. As a former homeless person, I appreciated that a lot.

I was amazed at the lack of homeless people at Mary’s funeral. Maybe they were embarrassed that they didn’t have proper funeral clothes, maybe they were uneasy at a funeral. One comes face to face with the reality of death.

God bless you, Mary. I know he does.

Judith Ellen Hunt

Tustin

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Years ago I did not find McAnena to be a living saint. One time I went to the park where she was feeding the homeless to volunteer with my young daughter. I found Mary to be curiously resenting us being there to help.

As we distributed the used clothing and literature we brought with us, I was shocked to find that most of the people I talked to were not homeless.

Many had nice cars and some had gold jewelry. A few bragged about all of the handouts that they received.

Before going, I mentioned to Mary that many people there did not seem homeless or needy. She sternly replied that it did not matter. Rebuffed by her words and cold attitude, I never returned.

Jayna Dinnyes

Fountain Valley