Breakfast Chair Al Toensing recognizes Mary Jensen.
David Stanard
Since many of those who winter in Tucson had not yet returned, it was an exceptionally large group of right at 60 that showed up for the “kick-off” to the Resurrection Church Men’s Breakfast season. Many were regulars but all were there to have a hand in saying “thank you” to retiring volunteer chef Mary Jensen who was cooking her last breakfast.
It was four years ago that Mary took over cooking chores for the group. Since she did it alone, the only part of the assignment that was easy was that the breakfast was only a once a month activity. Outside of that, she had a menu to develop, shopping to do for the food she planned to serve and preparation of the food the day before the breakfast occurred. On breakfast day she was out of bed around 4:00 a.m. and to the church early to assure that the food was on the table by the 7:30 a.m. start time. Then, after breakfast was done, she cleaned up the serving line as well as the kitchen.
The mother of Resurrection Church Senior Pastor Al Jensen, Mary was born and raised in Winfield, Alabama. After high school graduation in 1955 and throughout the years that ensued, Mary has been busy. She married, raised two boys and worked as a receptionist, phone operator and in sales. In addition, she and her husband owned and operated a paint and decorating store and Mary became an interior decorator. After her husband passed away at age 58 from a brain tumor, she managed a tuxedo shop in Birmingham for 14 years.
In 2002, Pastor Jensen and his wife, Char, asked Mary to join them first in Portland and then in Tucson when the family moved here in 2009. In doing so she became a very involved grandmother and counts this as perhaps her most satisfying life experience. She was active in the church in Portland and continues to be very involved here.
Now, after Mary hangs up her apron, she wants to once and for all truly retire. In doing so she can devote herself to other volunteer activities at the church, play games, watch game shows and ply her skills as an expert seamstress. Her service to the Men’s Breakfast Group will not be forgotten.
The Resurrection Church Men’s Breakfasts are held the first Saturday of the month, the months of October through May, at the main campus in Oro Valley. Start time is 7:30 a.m. A program follows the breakfast. The December 2 program is on Steam Pump Ranch and will be presented by Oro Valley Historical Society President James Williams.
Resurrection Church at SaddleBrooke holds it all-denominational Sunday services at 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. at the Vermilion Room at the SaddleBrooke HOA 1 Clubhouse. All are welcome.