By Terra Avilla
As we are about to sink into the craziness of the holiday season, I thought it would be appropriate to highlight someone, who fully embraces my crazy self, crazy ideas, and is always there to help me with all of it.
She has been such a blessing to me, I cannot even remember how we grew into such good friends. It’s just that, one day, she was in my life, and whether she likes it or not, she is pretty much there to stay. This week I am highlighting my wonderful friend Mary-Ann Kiar.
You all may know Mary-Ann from the crazy amount of work she does at our local Public Health Department and let me tell you that would be for a good reason. Mary-Ann has worked in that the department during the entirety of my time in Susanville.
Pre-Corona Virus this woman was a rockstar. She assisted me with the several large-scale Active Assailant Drills, as well as the Suicide Prevention Walk, and honestly anything I really ever asked her to do.
I am not quite sure what she does at Public Health, because she seems to do so much. It’s to the point now that poor Mary-Ann gets calls from me asking for help – whether the task I need help with falls under her purview or not – she makes sure it gets done.
Like two years ago, when I needed a large generator for an event. Wouldn’t you know, Mary-Ann had one hurried to my event within thirty minutes, fuel, and all. The woman gets stuff done. And don’t get me started on all she has done for our community post-Covid 19. I don’t know how she (nor anyone else at Public Health) got so much done for us.
On top of her career Mary- Ann also makes it a point to give back to the community, sitting on several boards. Yes, I conned her into being on the board for Holiday with A Hero, where she continues to amaze me.
However, even more amazing than the things she does, is who she is a person. Mary-Ann is sweet. She is a great listener. She is compassionate, and loving, and funny and a delightful human being. I genuinely enjoy being around her.
When people talk about the kind of person who would “give you the shirt off their back” they are talking about people like Mary-Ann.
She came into my life eight years ago and my life has been better because of her. She is a hard worker both in the office, and at home for her sons.
If you didn’t know her before, watch for her now. You will realize that she pops up everywhere, within so many of our community events, trying to make Lassen County a better place.
She certainly has made it better for me. I sure hope she knows that. I hope she knows that she is making a difference and is one of the reasons why I love the place we live.
