Nominated by Barbara Kalina.

Maryanne Farrell is a compassionate individual with an unending passion for assisting helpless creatures, both animal and human. Her involvement individually and in cooperation with shelter and rescue groups throughout Western Pennsylvania has helped save and find homes for hundreds of animals, primarily cats. But what sets Maryanne apart is how, during her 35-year career in education, she touched and influenced young students, by building a foundation of respect for animals along with teaching them to read. Using animal books and magazines to reinforce both reading and the care and respect for pets and animals, Maryanne brought into the classroom a variety of animals for hands-on experience. She helped the pets of the families of her mostly disadvantaged students, visiting the home to educate the family on the care of the pet and providing transportation to the vet for medical care, spaying or neutering. In this respect, Maryanne planted the seeds of a lifelong love of reading, but also the seeds of a lifelong love of animals. Today, Maryanne is retired from teaching, but constantly busy with rescue work. Although Maryanne could always be counted on to pick up stray animals (especially cats), find homes for them, and foster them herself until a home could be found, her legacy is the influence she has had on the future – the children she taught to respect and care for all creatures.