Mary Anne Mather

Board Member-at-Large,
Communications Committee

When looking to move from New England to Roanoke to be close to family, I narrowed my home search to the city’s historic Old Southwest (OSW) neighborhood. Why? Walking distance to a vibrant downtown, plus neighborhood restaurants, convenient shopping, and good services. But most importantly, because of OSW. Inc.—our active neighborhood non-profit organization that promotes the vision of a community where “people care about their neighbors, participate in neighborhood life, and build a future together that makes Old Southwest the most desired community in the Roanoke Valley in which to live, work, and play.” I bought my house on Day Avenue in 2017, and made the full move in 2018. My professional background is in education, school improvement, and writing. I’m actively involved with the Vieques Humane Society in Puerto Rico, supporting their work rehoming dogs and cats across the U.S. My two pups are “beach doggies.” I enjoy gardening, hiking, reading, thrifting, grandparenting, cooking, and sharing news and ideas with the thought-provoking neighbors I’ve become friends with since moving to OSW. Love the OSW vibe, and I’m honored to contribute to our neighborhood as an involved Board member.