R E S I D E N T S P O T L I G H T
Meet Maryann McClain
Came to Mt. Assisi Place: January 2023
Grew Up In: East Pittsburgh
Previously Lived In: Churchill
Family: I have one brother who actually went to high school with (fellow Resident) Father Buzz. I was married to my husband, Herb, for 67 years. We had five sons. I now have six grandchildren, including three boys and three girls. When we found out my first grandchild was a girl, I didn’t think that could happen. But God knew what he was doing!
Hobbies: I have always loved to read historial fiction. But lately I am into reading about the spiritual lives of the saints. They are my superheroes.
Favorite Food: I love food, period. But ice cream is my favorite.
Favorite Trip: Once the kids were grown, Herb and I went on a Backroads Tour in France. We traveled all around on a minibus and even went on an archaeological dig. The narration was wonderful, and we got to ask questions as we went along.
Favorite Mt. Assisi Place Activities: I like Poetry Club and Bookmobile, but my absolute favorite are the music programs with Sam Rice. That really lights me up. It’s the highlight of my week!
Favorite TV Show: Jeopardy! is the only thing I never miss. It makes me feel smart, especially on the rare occasion that I know an answer the contestants don’t.
Celebrity Crush: Actor Richard Chamberlain. I used to rush home to watch him in Dr. Kildare every week!
Favorite Song: Annie’s Song by John Denver
Favorite TV Show: Jeopardy! is the only thing I never miss. It makes me feel smart, especially on the rare occasion that I know an answer the contestants don’t.
Celebrity Crush: Actor Richard Chamberlain. I used to rush home to watch him in Dr. Kildare every week!
Favorite Song: Annie’s Song by John Denver
Why did you choose Mt. Assisi Place?: My son lives in Bellevue and was looking for someplace close. He and my daughter-in-law came to see it. She said, “Mom, it’s you!” She was right. I absolutely love it here!
Tell us about your career: I attended Carnegie Mellon University and worked as a child development specialist. Through Allegheny Intermediate Unit and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, I coordinated family programs for poorer school districts. It was very fulfilling work.
If you could chat with your 18-year-old-self, what would you tell her?: I’d tell her to have those kids, don’t worry so much, and just enjoy them.
If you could have dinner with anyone (living or dead), who would it be and why?: Roberto Clemente and my sons. My boys got to see him play, and we’d love to pick his brain.
What is your secret to a long life?: Ask (fellow Antonia Hall Residents) Betty (Donovan) and Lorraine (Poslusny). Both are 99! I have learned so much from both of them since I have been here. I feel closer to God. I especially admire Betty’s prayer life.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?: After losing my 20-year-old son, Stephen, in a drunk-driving crash in 1981, I was grief-stricken. I just wanted to do something. So, I got involved with Mothers Against Drunking Driving (MADD) in 1982 and worked on Pennsylvania’s drunk driving law.
