WRITTEN BY ANNE GABBIANELLI
Sisters Beverly Kennedy and Mary Lou Deane grew up in Winterport Village, attending the town’s Methodist church. As the two eldest of six children in the Ryan family, they said they were always active and involved in the community, and could often be found in the kitchen.
“When you have a big family, you cook a lot,” Kennedy chuckled.
Years later, the pair are still cooking and volunteering for the greater good.
Though their childhood church closed in the 1980s, the sisters have found a new church community at the Ellingwood Corner United Methodist Church in Winterport. About six years ago, Mary Lou Deane found herself volunteering at the Corner Church’s popular thrift shop. It wasn’t long before she was asked to take over the reins.
“I said I would do what I could do,” Deane shared. “I had no idea what it would involve, but it’s all good.” Deane said she volunteers in memory of Debbie Calderwood, an integral servant of the church whose life suddenly ended in an auto accident in 2017.
Deane’s sister soon joined the Ellingwood Corner Church community as well.
“I was not active with any church, but still engaged in mission work on an individual basis,” Kennedy said. “It was an inner voice that pulled me towards the church.”
Within a year of Kennedy joining as a church member, COVID hit and all of the long-standing monthly church community suppers ended, stalling income for the church and its missions.
But the sisters and fellow volunteers didn’t let that stop them. They took advantage of the time, reorganized, and began curbside meal pickup opportunities.
“Our mission work exploded because there was a greater need in the community,” Kennedy said.
Pastor Reeni Cipullo said volunteers are what keep these smaller churches alive and active. She remarked on the sisters’ dedication and passion.
“Oh my goodness, they do so much. Mary Lou actually gave up her job to serve us at the church with such commitment to her faith,” Pastor Cipullo said. “They are a tremendous help and support because they know the community so well. There is so much energy and passion in this church community. It’s absolutely amazing.”
Church volunteers coordinate community breakfasts, Christmas wreath making, and bake sales.
“A lot of this work is just automatic for us,” Deane said. “Everyone loves our cooking. It’s crazy.”
The fervent team of volunteers also create Christmas stockings and Easter baskets for Partners for Peace, in addition to supplying food for the homeless and assisting with clothing needs.
“We even make yeast rolls as a promotion for any stocking stuffer donations made,” Kennedy added.
When asked if the sisters ever get tired of each other, there was a collective laugh as they looked at each other showing the divine bond between them. They not only share their life-long love for each other, but their faith has made them a vital part of the Ellingwood Corner Church.
