Alaska Collection Willed To Society
April 30, 2015 at 9:27 PM
Mary Thelma Glenn, 105, died Jan. 29, 2015, leaving a legacy – her collection of Alaskan art – including scrimshaw, dolls, other hand-created items, and a framed native-Alaskan drawing to the DuBois Area Historical Society.
“We are very pleased to receive this collection,” said historical society President Ruth Gregori. “Mrs. Glenn had a long and eventful life. The Society is excited to be remembered by her in her will.”
Glenn (left) was born on Aug. 6, 1909, in Corsica, graduated from Corsica Academy in 1927 and received a teaching certificate from Clarion State Normal School. During the Depression years, she taught at Pennsylvania one-room schools and in the Hubbard, Ohio, school system. During World War II, she worked a second job as a welder on Sherman tanks at the Federal Machine and Welder factory.
Receiving further education at the Bible School in Philadelphia and Princeton Theological Seminary, Glenn started working for the Board of Christian Education and National Board of Missions of the now Presbyterian Church (USA), Brunswick, N. J. Her earliest assignment was at San Miguel Presbyterian Mission School in New Mexico, followed by her posting to Anchorage, Alaska.
While in Alaska, she formed at ministry at the U. S. Air Force Base at Elmendorf Field. The Air Force recognized her efforts in 2009 when the Chaplain Commander United States Air Force arrived in DuBois to present her with a medallion. The front reads, “Glorifying God, honoring airmen, serving all – USAF Chaplain Service”; and the back reads, “Office of the Chaplain, Air Combat Command, Leaders in Global Ministry.”
It was during her time in Alaska, that Glenn collected the items willed to the DuBois Area Historical Society. Health problems forced Glenn to leave her Alaskan post and she was reassigned to California. After her work in California was completed she went national with her church work until retiring in 1969.
Moving to DuBois, Glenn continued her church involvement with First Presbyterian Church of DuBois, for which she was still writing articles for the church newsletter at age 100.
The DuBois Area Historical Society is a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization, meaning it can accept gifts and donations (including items from or entire estates). While the Society cannot appraise donated items, the donor may have that done for tax purposes.