In Memory of Community Activist MAHONE INEZ DENARD

MAHONE INEZ DENARD

On March 2, 1923 Inez Denard was born in Wilder, Va. to the union of Timothy Denard and Laura Geneva Ross Denard. Following the untimely death of her father at the age of twenty six, Inez and her sister Catherine moved to Tams, Va. where they were lovingly cared for by her great aunt, Ada Edwards. Under Ms. Edwards' watchful eye, Inez and Catherine were very active in church, singing, and participating in other public affairs. Inez and Catherine were reunited with their mother in Jenkins, Kentucky where Inez graduated from Dunham High School. It was there that she met and, on July 26, 1941, married Alec C. Mahone, Sr. Reportedly, "it was love at first sight" for both of them. To this union were born eight children, four sons and four daughters, the first five of whom were born at home in Hamon, Ky. In search of better opportunities, schools, and employment, Alec and Inez moved their young family to Pittsburgh in 1949. Inez's early years in Pittsburgh were spent raising the children, but as the younger one's began middle school she began to work outside the home.

In time, she found her calling as an advocate for community development. Often referred to as the Rosa Parks of Lincoln Park, Inez was a dedicated pillar in the greater Penn Hills community where she demonstrated an unwavering level of commitment, to resolving the many issues negatively affecting Lincoln Park. She was an early and indomitable advocate in the fight to bring an adequate sewage system to Lincoln Park, equitable distribution of Federal revenue sharing funds, and in establishing the first kindergarten in Penn Hills at the Lincoln Park elementary school. She also played a significant role in the lives of many of the community's young people by helping them obtain training and employment through Allegheny County's office of Economic Opportunity, where she was employed for ten years.

She will no doubt be most fondly remembered as the founder and first president of Friends United for Neighborhood Development ("FUND"). Under her leadership this organization focused almost entirely on the creation of a multi-purpose community center for the Lincoln Park community. Largely because of her hard work, the FUND Board and professional friendships, ground was broken for the Penn Hills Multi-Purpose Center on July 29, 1978, and dedicated for services on July 27, 1980. This center became a place for delivery of many social, family, and health services, such as a quality daycare, food bank distribution, and senior citizen services programs. The Center's well equipped social hall was available to the entire Penn Hills community and the scene of many weddings and civic affairs. Inez remained the director of the Center until her retirement in 1987. The Center remains open today.

She was a founding member of the Penn Hills chapter of the NAACP, and a spiritual counselor to women incarcerated in Allegheny County under the prison ministry program sponsored by Lydia's Place. Inez was a recipient of many honors for her civic involvement, including NAACP Presidents Award, Recognition of distinguished courage and outstanding service 1994, Renaissance Publications, Volunteer Service 1996, Community Impact Award, First Baptist Church 2003, Lydia's Place, A New Day Dawning Award and Volunteer Service 2001.

Inez was a dedicated member of Holy Trinity Baptist Church where she was ordained as a minister of the Gospel on October 17, 2004 under pastorate of Reverend Lewis Rogers.

Preceding her in death are Alec, Sr., her beloved husband of forty five years, one son, Richard, four brothers Carl, Ralph, Earl and Gordon, and two sisters Catherine and Marion. She leaves to cherish her memory her 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Harvey (Barbara), Glenn (Andrea), and Alec Jr. (Lisa), 4 daughters and sons-in-law Rosemarie, LoVita (Earl), Marion (Hank) and Alexis, loving sister Ruth Denard, 19 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, 5 great great grandchildren and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Family and friends are being received at GAINES FUNERAL HOME, 220 Auburn Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, Wednesday July 18, 2007 2-4pm and 7-9pm. Service Thursday 11am Petra Ministries, 235 East Gate Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.