Mary Vavruska

93rd St & 34th Ave

Mary Vavruska (1932 – 2015)

Mary Vavruska was a woman of many talents and interests, but her real calling was as a community leader and organizer, working with neighbors, community members, local businesses, politicians and the police to keep improving Jackson Heights and Queens, where she was a beloved local resident.

Judy Grubin, a close friend of Mary’s for almost 50 years, remembers how Mary would cook meals for her community and her eclectic reading habits.

Credits:

Audio story, text and portrait of Judy Grubin by Hari Adivarekar

Neighborhood photos by Sarah Luft

Music by Isolation Waltz by Bryan Teoh (FreePD.com)