Former BJ reporter Mary Raies McAllister passes away
Mary Helen Raies McAllister, who included the Beacon Journal in her
long resume as a reporter, passed away May 12 in San Leandro, California.
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| Mary Raies McAllister at different ages |
The University of Akron’s BJ career was sandwiched between stops at
The Livingston Enterprise in Montana and The Morning Newspaper in San Leandro.
She was a Plain Dealer correspondent during her time in Zips University (hey,
everyone else is changing the name!).
Mary’s obituary:
Mary Helen (Raies) McAllister
Resident of San Leandro, Calif., Mary Helen McAllister, age 91, passed away peacefully at home in the loving arms of her daughter, Victoria, on May 12, 2015 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Born in Toledo, Ohio on July 18, 1923, Mary Helen was a loving, devoted and beloved mother, sister, daughter and best friend. She is survived by her four children, Kari, Shawn, Victoria and Brian; two daughters-in-law, Dawn and Mei-Ling; and five grandchildren, Justin, Doreen, Devlin, Peyton and Riley.
From an early age, Mary Helen was strong, determined and dedicated, working part- and full-time jobs throughout high school and college. During World War II, she worked as a "Rosy the Riveter" helping to build the airplanes used by the Air Force; her small size allowed her to climb deep into the wings of the airplanes and hold the bucking bar while rivets were driven into place.
Mary Helen's love of journalism began as the news editor of her high school newspaper, The Lariat. The recipient of a Knight scholarship, she attended and graduated from Akron University, where she was listed in "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges." Beginning in her first year at Akron University, Mary Helen worked on the college newspaper, the Buchtelite, and was editor by her senior year. During this same time, she worked part-time as campus correspondent for the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Mary Helen ventured West to begin her career as a reporter in Livingston, Montana after graduation. Over the course of her life, she worked as a reporter at various newspapers, including: The Livingston Enterprise in Montana, the Akron Beacon Journal in Ohio, and in California at The Morning Newspaper in San Leandro, The Valley Times in Dublin and The San Mateo Times. Her career at the San Mateo Times culminated with the last 20 years working as a reporter, Art Editor and eventually Chief Copy Editor, where she retired at age 73 in 1996. Many of the headlines she wrote for the San Mateo Times were reprinted in "The Write Stuff", a professional publication. In addition, Mary Helen won an "Award of Excellence" from the San Mateo Arts Council for her work showcasing local artists as a reporter and Art Editor of the San Mateo Times.
When ever someone was in need, Mary Helen tried to aid or otherwise comfort them and cared deeply about the suffering of others. In the late 1960's-70's, Mary Helen served on the board of the San Leandro Girls Club and the local drug CAUCUS program to help troubled teens get help with substance abuse. While working with the San Mateo Times, Mary Helen also served seven years on the Board of Directors for the Amphlett Employees Federal Credit Union.
A single mother, she was fiercely protective and devoted to her children; encouraging them to always pursue their dreams and to fight for what they believed in. Mary Helen loved life and had a gentle and giving nature that endeared her to everyone she knew. She loved crossword puzzles, card games and board games, was an avid Scrabble player and, seemingly, invincible at Backgammon. In her later years, she and her daughter would park at the marina each night after dinner and enjoy the sunset, the windsurfers and watch the planes take off and land at the Oakland airport across the bay while discussing the events of the day.
Mary Helen was a breast cancer survivor and although having suffered the torment and indignity of Alzheimer's disease in her later years, she is with Our Father in heaven now, and He is blessing her with an abundance of joy and love.
Mary Helen was cremated following her passing. A small memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, friends and family are requested to donate to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org, or to the National Breast Cancer foundationat www.nationalbreastcancer.org.
Resident of San Leandro, Calif., Mary Helen McAllister, age 91, passed away peacefully at home in the loving arms of her daughter, Victoria, on May 12, 2015 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.
Born in Toledo, Ohio on July 18, 1923, Mary Helen was a loving, devoted and beloved mother, sister, daughter and best friend. She is survived by her four children, Kari, Shawn, Victoria and Brian; two daughters-in-law, Dawn and Mei-Ling; and five grandchildren, Justin, Doreen, Devlin, Peyton and Riley.
From an early age, Mary Helen was strong, determined and dedicated, working part- and full-time jobs throughout high school and college. During World War II, she worked as a "Rosy the Riveter" helping to build the airplanes used by the Air Force; her small size allowed her to climb deep into the wings of the airplanes and hold the bucking bar while rivets were driven into place.
Mary Helen's love of journalism began as the news editor of her high school newspaper, The Lariat. The recipient of a Knight scholarship, she attended and graduated from Akron University, where she was listed in "Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges." Beginning in her first year at Akron University, Mary Helen worked on the college newspaper, the Buchtelite, and was editor by her senior year. During this same time, she worked part-time as campus correspondent for the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Mary Helen ventured West to begin her career as a reporter in Livingston, Montana after graduation. Over the course of her life, she worked as a reporter at various newspapers, including: The Livingston Enterprise in Montana, the Akron Beacon Journal in Ohio, and in California at The Morning Newspaper in San Leandro, The Valley Times in Dublin and The San Mateo Times. Her career at the San Mateo Times culminated with the last 20 years working as a reporter, Art Editor and eventually Chief Copy Editor, where she retired at age 73 in 1996. Many of the headlines she wrote for the San Mateo Times were reprinted in "The Write Stuff", a professional publication. In addition, Mary Helen won an "Award of Excellence" from the San Mateo Arts Council for her work showcasing local artists as a reporter and Art Editor of the San Mateo Times.
When ever someone was in need, Mary Helen tried to aid or otherwise comfort them and cared deeply about the suffering of others. In the late 1960's-70's, Mary Helen served on the board of the San Leandro Girls Club and the local drug CAUCUS program to help troubled teens get help with substance abuse. While working with the San Mateo Times, Mary Helen also served seven years on the Board of Directors for the Amphlett Employees Federal Credit Union.
A single mother, she was fiercely protective and devoted to her children; encouraging them to always pursue their dreams and to fight for what they believed in. Mary Helen loved life and had a gentle and giving nature that endeared her to everyone she knew. She loved crossword puzzles, card games and board games, was an avid Scrabble player and, seemingly, invincible at Backgammon. In her later years, she and her daughter would park at the marina each night after dinner and enjoy the sunset, the windsurfers and watch the planes take off and land at the Oakland airport across the bay while discussing the events of the day.
Mary Helen was a breast cancer survivor and although having suffered the torment and indignity of Alzheimer's disease in her later years, she is with Our Father in heaven now, and He is blessing her with an abundance of joy and love.
Mary Helen was cremated following her passing. A small memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, friends and family are requested to donate to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org, or to the National Breast Cancer foundationat www.nationalbreastcancer.org.
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