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At 90, Sunshine Lady wins recognition for good deeds
By BILL STEVENS © St. Petersburg Times, published October 16, 2000 May Plennert jokes about her "Emmy," although the 15-pound solid bronze statuette more resembles an Oscar. "I can hardly lift it," says Mrs. Plennert, known as the "Sunshine Lady" at the La Casa Grande retirement home in New Port Richey. "It would make a great doorstop." Humor aside, this is a big deal, the most significant award presented by the Salvation Army for volunteer service. The William Booth Award, named for the Methodist minister who founded the Salvation Army in 1865 in London, was presented to Mrs. Plennert on Aug. 13 at a ceremony that was supposed to be a surprise. But it's hard to keep anything about the church's activities in Pasco County a secret to this special woman. "I read the minutes of the previous meetings," Mrs. Plennert said. "But, believe me, it didn't take away from the thrill. I am humbled." Mrs. Plennert opened the first Salvation Army service unit in West Pasco 46 years ago, collecting and distributing food and clothing to poor people from her front porch on North River Road. As the population boomed and the unit expanded social services, she served as secretary to the Corps Council and League of Mercy, regularly visiting nursing homes to cheer the residents. "My grandmother in Scotland belonged to the Salvation Army," she recalled, "and she taught me all the hymns and traditions. I always kept in mind what she told me: "No matter where you go, brighten a corner.' I've tried." Which explains the Sunshine Lady moniker at La Casa Grande. Even at age 90, Mrs. Plennert is able to live in one of the apartments reserved for those who can take care of themselves. But only a few feet away, on the other side of a large green, wood fence is the Alzheimer's care center. She visits daily at the fence with the frail residents, offering cheerful conversation and encouragement -- and remembering them by name. "I don't know why I have such good memory," she said. "But I could take you back to where I lived when I was 3 years old and show you where things were in the house. I visit with the Alzheimer's folks and at the nursing homes because I know but for the grace of God. . . ." Mrs. Plennert moved to La Casa Grande two years ago after her husband of 65 years, Nicholas, died with Alzheimer's. She had spent a decade as primary caregiver for her husband after he had a series of strokes. But true to form, she steers conversations about her life to the 32 years she and Nicholas lived at the corner of Indiana and Jefferson streets in New Port Richey; how they raised three sons and a daughter; how she volunteered countless hours with the PTA, Red Cross, Little League and others while Nicholas worked construction jobs. They first met in Elizabeth, N.J., both 17 and fresh out of high school. She worked in a bakery while going to business college, and Nicholas came in one day to buy bread. He had some brick dust in his eye from work, and May helped get it out. "Funny thing," she recalled. "We liked each other, but he dated the two other girls in the bakery first and then got stuck with me." They married at age 23, while May worked for an insurance company near Wall Street in New York. There she was inspired to write her first poem, Road to Somewhere, as she wondered where all those people down below her office window were heading in such a rush. She observed men selling apples on street corners, also occupied by prostitutes. She wrote a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt, suggesting a training program for young women that might take them off the streets. It may have been a coincidence, but the government soon afterward opened a training camp in upstate New York. May's career was interrupted when Robert was born on the Plennerts' first wedding anniversary. Donald arrived five years later, followed by William in 1948 and Ellen in 1950. While pregnant with Ellen, Mrs. Plennert ran for the Woodbridge Township Board of Education. "Some of the men in power went to my husband and said, "Nick, if you convince her not to run, you'll get plenty of work.' But I wouldn't give up. I never give up. God gave me uncommon determination and strength." At a time when women rarely challenged men in politics, May Plennert lost by 200 votes. By now she was writing society news for local newspapers and tending to her children. In 1952 her parents retired to Florida, finding a neat little home on the banks of the Pithlachascotee River in New Port Richey. But in just seven months, her mother died of complications fromdiabetes. "She couldn't get a doctor," Mrs. Plennert said. "She had to go all the way to Tarpon Springs." The Plennerts moved to New Port Richey shortly afterward so she could look after her father. She quickly assumed leadership roles in the PTA and accepted responsibilities with the Salvation Army. Over the years she worked as a correspondent for newspapers and wrote hundreds of poems, many of them inspirational. She remains a faithful letter writer to the St. Petersburg Times, recently taking pen in hand to remind readers that just because the Salvation Army opened a beautiful new facility on Ridge Road, it still depends on donations for programs such as the soup kitchen, domestic violence shelter and food pantry. "I am healthier now than I was in my 60s," she says proudly. "I have things you don't die from, you die with -- you know, like arthritis. But I am blessed, no doubt about it. When I crawl into bed every night, I look at the plaque on my wall that says, "I will never leave you or forsake you.' God tells me, and I know it's true."
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