Gravenhurst resident and outstanding volunteer, Mary Anne Goheen, has been selected as the 2022 Ontario Senior of the Year for Gravenhurst.
“Mary Anne is a local senior who continues to enrich the social, cultural and civic life of our community,” said Mayor Paul Kelly, during the annual Mayor’s Tea at the Gravenhurst Opera House. As a former employee at the Muskoka Regional Centre, Mary Anne became very familiar with the area and eventually called it home as a retiree. She quickly got involved with as much as she could including becoming actively involved with the Gravenhurst Royal Canadian Legion contributing through a number of ways from serving as the Ontario Correspondent for the Ontario Provincial Command for the RCL National magazine, acting as the website coordinator, and meticulously documenting the history of Canadian service people through the co-development of nine military recognition books.
Mary Anne can also be found sharing her time with the St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church Parish in Gravenhurst and volunteering as the executive of the Catholic Women’s League. She loves to cook and regularly offers her culinary expertise preparing meals for non-profits and charitable events. She cares about her community and those most vulnerable or at risk. Following two tragic fires last year, Mary Anne was right there offering kitchen and bathrooms resources to two families in need.
From ensuring area families have gifts under their trees at Christmas time, collecting used clothing for the poor to delivering warm meals and bright smiles to isolated seniors, Mary Anne is always thinking of others in our community first.”
Mayor Kelly and Council selected Mary Anne as this year’s recipient from several community nominations that were submitted throughout the month of April. “Congratulations to Mary Anne on this wonderful achievement and hats off to all of those who were nominated for this award and continue to do great things for Gravenhurst everyday,” said Mayor Kelly.
“Above and beyond, Mary Anne is an active member of her immediate and extended family and friends providing support and friendship while maintaining an adventurous lifestyle. She is an integral part of the fabric of community that is the Town of Gravenhurst,” said Jane Conway in her nomination form submitted to the Town.
The Ontario Senior of the Year Award gives each municipality in Ontario the opportunity to honour one outstanding local Ontarian who, after the age of 65, has enriched the social, cultural, or civic life of his or her community.
