Mary Ellen Hannold, community volunteer

Mary Ellen Hannold, 82, of Magnolia, a longtime community volunteer who became a truant officer later in life to help children and teens in need, died Sunday, Aug. 29, of Lewy body dementia at home.

A supporter of the women's movement and civil rights in the 1960s, Mrs. Hannold did her part by volunteering for various organizations in Magnolia: the Democrat Club, the Women's Club, and the Girl Scouts of America, among others, her family said.

"She brought a lot of awareness . . . to small-town U.S.A.," her daughter Terri Taggart said.

Mrs. Hannold had a passion for helping single mothers, minorities, and children with disabilities or troubled lives, her daughter said.

Once her own children were grown, Mrs. Hannold took a job as a truant officer at Sterling High School in Somerdale.

"She made a difference with the kids she helped," her daughter said. "Instead of criticizing, she would step in and help them."

Throughout the years, her family heard success stories from former students Mrs. Hannold had helped get back on track, Taggart said.

Mrs. Hannold retired in the early 1980s after seven years at Sterling.

Mary Ellen Pine was born in Camden and raised in Gloucester City. She graduated from Gloucester City High School in 1945 and worked for a few years as a proofreader at Curtis Publishing Co. in Philadelphia.

In 1947, she married James E. Hannold, whom she had met in her neighborhood. The couple moved to Magnolia shortly after.

Mrs. Hannold and her husband, who were part of the Magnolia History Club, were instrumental in raising money for construction of the new Magnolia train station, town historian Helen Bradley said. It was completed in 2001.

In addition to her husband and daughter, Mrs. Hannold is survived by daughters Mary Lou Adams and Sandra Adams; three grandchildren; and a sister.

A viewing will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at McCann-Healey Funeral Home, 851 Monmouth St. in Gloucester City.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 426 Monmouth St. in Gloucester City.

Interment will be at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown.