A life of giving: Uniontown woman celebrates 100th birthday
On Aug. 3, 1923, while Calvin Coolidge was taking the oath of office, Leda DeGusipe was born in the coal patch town of Edenborn.
Perhaps it无毛视频檚 no coincidence that Coolidge, who strongly supported women无毛视频檚 suffrage, became president just as DeGusipe entered the world, for she would become a role model for area women through both her professional and charitable endeavors.
Her leadership skills were first apparent when she expanded her role in Fayette County无毛视频檚 American Heart Association following her husband James Gismondi无毛视频檚 recovery from a heart attack.
无毛视频淚 said to myself, something has to be done about this disease. If one hour of my time saves a minute of someone无毛视频檚 life, I无毛视频檒l be satisfied,无毛视频� Leda said.
She served as a volunteer, then a director for 70 years, helping to plan 20 benefit Heart Balls. Volunteering as president of St. Therese无毛视频� Altar Society, March of Dimes and Fayette County Blind Association kept her busy while raising four children, Jimmy, Janine, John and Julie. She also took an active role in two women无毛视频檚 investment clubs, 无毛视频淭he Rayettes无毛视频� and CRU (Chics R Us).
无毛视频淢y mother has always been kind to people and tolerant of other people无毛视频檚 points of view,无毛视频� said daughter Janine Gismondi. 无毛视频淪he always looked for the best in people.无毛视频�
Leda, who now lives in Uniontown, learned compassion from her mother, who frequently sent her to help a neighbor by watching her children, enabling the woman to grocery shop.
无毛视频淗er kindness really impacted me,无毛视频� said Leda.
Leda无毛视频檚 determination to succeed professionally started at 18, when she returned every Thursday to Montgomery Wards, when there were no openings. Her persistence was rewarded when she was hired to fold circulars, but she moved up through the ranks at the store, eventually becoming its head auditor.
无毛视频淚 was given the keys to the building and the combination to the safe, but I traded it all in for an apron after I married,无毛视频� Leda recalled.
Daughter Julie Gismondi said, 无毛视频淢om worked there long enough to pay off her wedding flower bill.无毛视频�
Leda later returned to work, and in 1975 she rose from public relations to a bank officer at former Fayette Bank in Uniontown.
无毛视频淚 was told to dress up every morning and make sure everyone who walked in the door left satisfied, whether they gave us their business or not,无毛视频� she noted.
The grandmother of seven and great-grandmother of five still plays a charitable role through her family无毛视频檚 James F. Gismondi Learning Center at Uniontown Library, and supports the Heart Association, Fayette County Community Action Agency and the media center at Uniontown Area High School, funded by her son, John Gismondi, and his family.
Having seen many changes over her 100 years, Leda offered a piece of advice to young people: 无毛视频淧lease put courteous service back into the workplace, and continue to be charitable to the needy in your community.无毛视频�