January 12, 2007

Remembering Mary Ann

Mail carrier loses fight with breast cancer but leaves a
legacy of friendship for Almaden Winery neighbors

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

Sometimes someone you see everyday touches your life leaving an imprint long after they’re gone. Local mail carrier Mary Ann Villanueva was one such person, touching the hearts of all who knew her and making their lives a little bit brighter.

Mail carrier Mary Ann Villanueva touched the lives of all who knew her.

Within days of her death, pink silk and taffeta ribbons fluttered in the breeze atop mailboxes in the Almaden Winery Neighborhood. Attached was a simple note: “In memory of Mary Ann, who did more than deliver the mail.” They are a touching tribute to their letter carrier, who lost her battle with breast cancer on Dec. 10 at age 49.

Her zest for living, compassion and concern for others endeared her not only to family and friends, but also to her postal customers, who considered her family. When her customers speak of her now, it is with a catch in their throats and a tear in their eyes. She shared personal relationships with many of them, chatting like an old friend as she delivered the mail.

“Mary Ann’s loss has been devastating for our neighborhood,” says resident Christine Lavazza. “She was a part of us.” Lavazza always looked forward to seeing Villanueva and ran to greet her when she heard her truck coming down the street. “We told each other stories,” she says, “and she’d giggle a lot. She was fascinated with what everyone was doing. It was a highlight for her to catch up everyday and a joy for me.”

Customer after customer related tales of the mail carrier who truly cared about people and doing her job well. She was considerate and dependable, as well as personable, one neighbor said. “She was always sure not to park her truck in anyone’s way and happily delivered boxes to people’s front doors. Years after forwarding orders expired she continued to deliver misaddressed letters to her customers.”

She also supported the community, assisting them in preventing mail theft and even buying makeup from Lavazza in support of the country’s troops. In addition, Villanueva was a friendly presence, helping newcomers and new moms alike feel less lonely and making them feel connected to the community as a whole.

“Mary Ann was a kind lady,” says Amy Bissell. “She always took the time to ask about your day and how you were doing, touching you on a personal level. She will be missed.”

“She was a great person,” says Almaden Winery Neighborhood resident Chris Leano. “She knew my children and always said, ‘Hi.’ We’re a close family (in this neighborhood) and we all adopted her.” Photo by Lorraine Gabbert

Chris Leano agrees. “She was a great person,” he says. “She knew my children and always said, ‘Hi.’ We’re a close family (in this neighborhood) and we all adopted her. Then we didn’t see her and the mail started coming erratically. We didn’t know what was going on.”

“People noticed her absence,” says Shelly Shisler. “When she first came back to work after being treated for breast cancer, everyone was happy to see her and concerned about her. Then, when she had to leave again, everyone missed her and hearing her stories.”

Villanueva had taken some time off four years ago when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. After undergoing radiation, chemotherapy treatments and a lumpectomy, she was in remission and full of hope for the future. She happily returned to work, looking forward to reconnecting with her customers and the neighborhood she had served diligently from its start 12 years ago.

Then, six months ago, the cancer returned, forcing her to abandon her route for good and eventually taking her life.

“She was very nice and always knew what was going on in the neighborhood,” said a resident. “I was so glad to see her back and that she was well, so it was a surprise when I heard she passed away. It’s such a shame.”
Lavazza was also taken by surprise. “We all thought she’d bounce back,” she says. “Before her last bout with cancer, she would say, ‘I fought cancer and won!’ It’s such a great loss.”

A woman with heart
Villanueva grew up in the Mission District of San Francisco, amongst other Filipino families who migrated to the United States. For many new immigrants, the Villanuevas’ home was their first stop. Their hospitality also extended to families and children who gathered at their home while their fathers traveled the world as merchant marines.

At her memorial and funeral services, four generations of families gathered to pay tribute to Villanueva in appreciation of how she and her family had helped to bring their families together.

While attending college in Seattle, Wash., and Stockton, Calif., Villanueva became an active member of the Bayanihan Youth Organization, which provides services and education for youth, senior citizens and immigrants of the Filipino community.

She shared a great love and long marriage with her husband, Tony, a Postal Service motor vehicle operator. They had one daughter, Crystal, and Villanueva was very actively involved in her life even thought she worked full time for the U.S. Postal Service for 17 years. On her days off, she volunteered at Cadwallader Elementary School in the Evergreen School District, where she founded Girl Scout Troop 754. Supporting her daughter’s chosen sport, she contributed many hours to the Eastridge Ice Arena’s Synchronized Skating Club, acting as vice president and she could always be counted on to braid the hair of aspiring skaters.

Throughout her life, Villanueva continued to devote her time to the community. She regularly collected clothing and items for families in need and donated goods to the Cancer Society Thrift Shops. She coordinated “Toys for Tots” for postal employees, dropping off barrels to the local fire station, and volunteered for “Families Can,” a support group for cancer survivors and their families.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Villanueva volunteered as a spokesperson for Breast Cancer Awareness, visiting Post Offices throughout San Jose to share her personal experiences and provide education and awareness. Her dream was to continue this service every year during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Being the kind of person she was, Villanueva never surrendered her positive attitude, living each remaining day to the fullest and continuing to care about others. “She was an incredibly happy person who always looked on the bright side of everything,” says Joanne Somer, manager of the Robertsville Station Post Office. “Her customers just loved her and she loved them. Having people to talk with, visit and share with was what her life was about. We were blessed to have her and she’s going to be terribly missed.”

Villanueva passed away surrounded by her family in the comfort of her home and is survived by her husband, Tony, and teenaged daughter, Crystal. The funeral was held at St. Francis Assisi. Residents from the Almaden Winery Neighborhood Association attended the service and sent flowers. Neighbors also dedicated a park bench in her name.

She will be long remembered for the generous person she was and her special way of connecting with everyone she met, no matter their age or interest. “She really cared,” says Lavazza. “(Delivering our mail) wasn’t just her career, it was her passion. She enjoyed every day, sharing a chuckle and a smile. She was wonderful.”

“She was just the kindest lady ever,” echoes another neighbor. “She was more than friendly. She always asked about the children and knew who was having babies, and when they were due. Even when she was sick, she never greeted me with anything but an enthusiastic smile and a wave. She was a part of our lives.”

“It’s sad to think that she left,” said Leano. “But the pink ribbons show what she meant to us and will bring a better awareness to fighting breast cancer, turning something negative into something positive.”
That’s just how Villanueva would have liked it.