Senior Moments-By the Grace of God! by Carol Hutson
May 15, 2010
You often hear the phrase, “By the Grace of God!”… I truly believe God sends his graces in many forms to guide and enhance our lives. His grace leads us to that special person, you want to spend the rest of your life with. Being guided by his graces to meet wonderful people who genuinely care about the people they meet and who go out of their way to make you feel welcome, and with whom you know you have a dear friend for life.
One couple in particular fits all of the above - Jo Ann and Paul Cannada. We met this dear couple two years ago when Paul was serving as the Thurmont Lion’s club president. Lovingly referred to as “Pilot” this reference fits him exactly as he guided the Lion’s through an exciting year of service to the Thurmont community, with his loving wife Jo Ann always at his side to do whatever was needed to get the job done.
Jo Ann and Paul met in 1959, while Paul worked at a George Washington University deli named Leo’s. They were introduced by a mutual friend. Jo Ann said with a giggle “The first time I saw him I said, Oh my gosh, I’m going to get that guy.. and I did!” Paul said jokingly, “She lived 2 blocks away- she came in 6 times a day!”
Paul was born July 6 1942, in Durham, North Carolina. His family moved to DC when he was three. Jo Ann, a native of DC was born June 12, 1944, They were married on August 25, 1962, and have been blessed with two beautiful daughters: Deborah Ann and Mary Catherine; five wonderful grandchildren, James Patrick, Paul Michael, Ashley Lynn, Mathew Brian and Thomas Carl and three adorable great grandchildren Andruw , Emily and J T- James Thomas. Paul was in the Navy, stationed at Norfolk and had to report to his ship while they were still on their honeymoon, but knowing he had a weekend pass he took Jo Ann along. Prior to their leaving, Jo Ann being a dutiful new bride pressed his white uniform so Paul would be ready to board ship on Friday. As Paul was dressing to leave he noticed she had pressed the pants on the outside making the creases point out rather than in (as per Navy protocol pressing them inside out). On the bus ride to the ship the other crew members jokingly asked him “What man’s Navy are you in?”
After the Navy, Paul went to work for PEPCO as a helper in the substation test department. Hard work and dedication moved Paul up the ladder to Division Manager of the Distribution Systems Operations where he retired. Jo Ann went to work after high school for the Board of Governors at the Federal Reserve System and after their daughters were grown she worked at the Bureau of National Affairs in Gaithersburg, MD where she retired.
Paul and Jo Ann moved to Thurmont in 2003, and Paul joined the Lions club in June 2004. A few months after joining the Thurmont Lions club, Paul was asked if he would consider going to the Multiple District Leadership Institute. A few months later, he received a call asking if he wanted to be Second Vice President for 2005/2006. He served as First Vice President, in 2006/2007, and as President 2007/2008. Paul moved up to Zone Chair 2008/2009. This year 2009/2010, he is serving as Cabinet Secretary for District 22 W. If elected at the District Convention on May 21, 2010, he will be Second Vice District Governor. Pretty impressive as his only goal was to help serve his community when he joined.
Jo Ann was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. They caught it just when it broke, three lymph nodes were removed and she had a lumpectomy. After 33 radiation treatments Jo Ann was on the road to recovery. During her two year checkup in May 2009, the doctors discovered something in the other breast, a MRI reviled a much more aggressive form of cancer had developed in the right breast, this time she would need chemotherapy. “I have had so much support from our church , Lions and community.” Lynn Stewart was always there to hold her hand with words of encouragement. “You can beat this! You will beat this! “Sharon Windsor made bread pudding for me each time I had chemo. I knew that a big bowl would be waiting for me, she never let me down.” “My neighbor in JerMae Villas, Paul Moss and I rode to and from radiation treatments together. Jo Ann, stated warmly. I asked Jo Ann what would you say to someone who was just diagnosed with cancer. She responded with conviction. ” You are going to be ok, with God’s help and good doctors you will be ok, you can do it, you will be fine! ,
Jo Ann’s Treasured Moment: “My mother brought home a puppy named Fluffy. She was a feisty little thing. She was my best buddy, she went everywhere with me .”
Jo Ann and Paul shared with me one of many Treasured Moments: When they were about sixteen/seventeen they went to channel 5- Milt Grant’s show where Annette Funacello was performing. Paul was smitten with Annette, his eyes still lite up and a boyish grin crossed his face at the mention of her name. As a teen, “A friend and I attended a concert at the Carter Barron Amphitheater where Annette was performing. Afterwards, we saw her leaving- we decided to follow her limo. They drove up and down DC streets, Annette smiled and waved out of the back window as her driver tried to lose us, he finally did,” Paul recounted smiling. Who knew-Our Paul- a teen idol stalker!!!
Paul’s Treasured Moment: “The birth of our two daughters. With the first came the shock of all of a sudden I was responsible for someone, When our second daughter was born I was so grateful there was nothing wrong.”
Jo Ann’s Senior Moment: “At Our Lady of Mount Carmel the Second Chance were being honored , I met a wounded serviceman, Robert Bartlett who had returned from Afghanistan and Iraq. He introduced himself and asked “How are you,” I guess because he saw I was bald. We had a wonderful talk, he touched my heart. We have kept in touch, he sent me holy water from Our Lady of Fatima, in France and a beautiful letter. The police Ride-A-Long with officer Danny Fitzgerald, that was super exciting! And winning the battle with cancer- I AM A SURVIVOR!”
Paul’s Senior Moment :”Being in the Lions Club, at my first benefit breakfast seeing so many people show up on a cold rainy March morning for a man with terminal cancer. I could not believe the number of people that showed up. That was the day I knew- I was a Lion, and would never leave the club.
If you have a senior moment you would like to share contact me at carol@thurmonttimes.com
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