
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, September 16, 1993                   TAG: 9309160416
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: N-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HUMANITARIAN AWARD WINNER STAYS BUSY WITH CIVIC PROJECTS

Mary V. Derrow's co-workers, friends and church members pretty much say the same things about her:

"When I see her coming down the hall, no matter how stressed-out I am, I know my day is going to be better."

Her hobby is helping others. "That's how she spends most of her time."

"She doesn't see her efforts of helping others and doing quality work as anything special but rather the right thing to do."

Derrow, administrative assistant in rehabilitative services, is Lewis-Gale Hospital's Dr. Thomas Frist Humanitarian Award winner for 1993. She will represent the Salem hospital in national competition with other Hospital Corporation of America facilities.

Frist, nationally recognized cardiologist and philanthropist and co-founder of HCA, started the national award to recognize employees who go the extra mile and beyond their formal job descriptions to help define HCA institutions as caring places and to recognize their accomplishments in the their communities.

Derrow also works in community and civic projects with the Woodmen of the World. She is assistant choir director, a teacher and co-chairwoman of the Benevolent Committee at the New Hope Christian Church, where her husband, David, is minister.

A church friend, Jeanie Smith VandeLinde, told the story about a "lonely and desperate" widower who was taken in by the Derrows.

"They fed him, cared for him, took him everywhere, made him feel a valuable part of our church and everything around him. This little elderly man with a cane was given a second chance on life and happiness because of the love and attention from Mary and her family."

The Derrows have two daughters and a grandchild.

by CNB