Page 10 Blind resident frustrated with MBTA’s The Ride By Tara Vocino A blind Malden resident recently voiced her displeasure about her struggles taking the MBTA’s The Ride, feeling abandoned while waiting for her return pickup back to her Malden home. “Being stranded for three hours isn’t okay,” Marie Hennessey said. “Other times, they are failing to show up or are late, maybe because they couldn’t find me, or they reassign drivers.” Hennessey said she feels discriminated against and that isn’t acceptable. She said the security guards at North Station help her when she’s in Boston, but says it’s not their responsibility. The Ride sent her a letter apologizing for the inconvenience. But she feels that more has to be done. They asked her to take an Uber, the mobile app, but she doesn’t feel comfortable doing that, because she is blind. THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 11, 2023 HAPPY BIRTHDAY | FROM PAGE 1 “This has been going on for a few years,” Hennessey said. “The barriers have to be removed.” She said others have been in the same situation, but they haven’t filed action, so she feels she has to speak out on their behalf. Hennessey takes The Ride several days a week into Boston from Malden for errands and work duties. She said the issue has been mostly in Boston trying to get back to Malden. Special Assistant to the Mayor Maria Luise plans to set up a meeting with Mayor Gary Christenson to make sure that her voice is heard. “At this point, we’re still looking into it,” Luise said. “It’s awful to hear this.” Hennessey said she is never late and always available. “I don’t feel safe because of their error,” Hennessey said. “People have to get where they want to go.” The Ride didn’t return telephone calls as of press time. Law Offices of Terrence W. Kennedy 512 Broadway, Everett • Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Medical Malpractice Tel: (617) 387-9809 Cell: (617) 308-8178 twkennedylaw@gmail.com J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. State Representative Steve Ultrino said he looks forward to Gloria's 104th birthday party. S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping Mayor Gary Christenson said we can all learn from her wisdom. Hawaii and Florida. Prezioso moved to Holiday Maplewood Place on Oct. 31, 2019, after living in her 8 Althorn St. home for 79 years. She said Saugus is a nice, little town to this day, but has been built up by Route 1 developments. “I remember going to Hilltop Steakhouse and waiting in line for lobster,” Prezioso said. “Everyone wants to move to Saugus.” Her son, Robert, who lives five miles away from the Althorn Street home that they grew up in, said going to Hilltop was one of her greatest memories along with always being there for her family. “She came from a family of 12 children and most had a long life,” said Robert Prezioso, who visits the Malden senior living complex weekly. “I knew that she’d at least get into her 90s.” Her secrets are to do everything in moderation, don’t smoke, and be kind to people. She does yoga, tai chai, boxing and rock and roll and ballroom dancing. Prezioso also loves to read and was active in the Garden Club at Saugus High School. 11th of 12 children. She graduated from Saugus High School in 1938 with honors and married Canio “Guy” Prezioso on August 10, 1941, at age 21. “We met when I was walking home from Saugus High, and he offered to take me home,” Prezioso said. “We got married at Saint Margaret’s Church.” Her husband joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and continued in the United States Navy Reserve and the United States Air Force National Guard. He was a carpenter. Prezioso was a substitute teacher and owned her own alteration shop called “Gloria’s Alterations.” Together, they had two children: Robert, 80, of Saugus, and Gloria, 74, of Fort Myers, Fla. She has three grandchildren, Robert, Joseph and Ricky, and six great-grandchildren: Ricky, Giovanna, Nicholas, Anthony, Kendra and Vincent. In her younger years, she loved dancing at Wonderland ballroom in Revere and going to the Italian-American Club. She has traveled to Italy, Greece, Gloria Prezioso with 103 balloons marking her birthday. Gloria Prezioso was all smiles as Malden Mayor Gary Christenson and State Representative Steven Ultrino wished her a Happy 103rd Birthday at Holiday Maplewood Place. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Ward 6 Councillor Stephen Winslow presented Prezioso with a birthday gift – a bouquet of roses.
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