Meet a New Member - Mary Lou Albert

November 1, 2020

Mary Lou was born and grew up in North Albany, New York. She is an only child. Her parents told her that they had a perfect child and didn't need to try for any more.

Mary Lou went to public schools in Albany through 8th grade. She then attended Cardinal McCloskey Memorial High School. Then she completed a year at Albany College of Pharmacy and later in life another year at Southern Vermont College.

Her father had many jobs. The ones she most remembers is when he worked in the service department for Yaegar Pontiac and then as a lock operator on lock 2 and 3 in Mechanicville. Her mother was a long distance operator for the telephone company in Albany until she became a Mom. Mary Lou's first real job was when she was in the assignment department for New York Telephone. Later she worked for two HVAC companies she and Jerry owned. The most current one is Bennington Cooling and Heating as Corporate Secretary/Office Manager. Earlier she ran a family's ice business in Niverville, New York for several years. She and Jerry moved to Bennington in 1979 and started Bennington Cooling and Heating.

Mary Lou loves the mountains around Bennington, the people and the community of Bennington. She wished the had been born in Bennington.

She and Jerry's four children are all over at this point. Their daughter is a graphic designer who works for the NYS Health Department as a designer in Albany. Their first son is a Chef at the Social House in Manchester. Their second son runs the family HVAC business here in Bennington. Their third son has a Master's in computers and works for a software firm in Washington State. They have a granddaughter here in Bennington with a degree in archival history currently looking for a challenging job. They also have a grandson in his last year at Becker College.

Mary Lou was a member of the Bennington Lions for many years. She is a member of the VFW auxiliary, The American Legion Auxiliary, The Moose Auxiliary and the Eagles Aerie.

Since she is a busy lady, she does not have much fee time, but she does try to fit in stained glass, photography, genealogy and traveling with Jerry.

After the Bennington Lions broke up, she missed working with the people of Bennington. Rotary is a good organization with many great people. Jerry was already a Rotarian so it seemed natural for Mary Lou to join. We are glad she has done so. The Public Relations Committee is lucky to already have her as an active and creative member.

Author: Sally Sugarman (Club Member & Windmill Editor)
Windmill