THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504210229
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Portsmouth Profile
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers
LENGTH: Long : 105 lines
Mary Curran was born on the West Coast and the former Navy wife had moved about a dozen times by the time she got to Portsmouth.
Twelve years after getting here, she's one of its most enthusiastic cheerleaders.
Since October she's been president of the Midtown Portsmouth Association, a group of 35 business and civic leaders who support the city's efforts to revitalize Midtown.
``People now see a spark of life coming back,'' said Curran, who wholeheartedly backs Vision 2005, the proposed economic development plan for Portsmouth.
``They see people . . . trying to change the city, trying to turn it around, trying to take a negative and change it into a positive,'' said Curran, assistant vice president of Central Fidelity Bank on Frederick Boulevard.
Curran has been with Central Fidelity for eight of her 13 years in banking.
``I have an interest in the Midtown area because not only do I work here, but I live here. This is my home,'' she said.
Curran moved nearly a dozen times in 20 years. She lived in Scotland, Illinois, Washington state, Florida and California before making Portsmouth her home.
``My first impression of the city was of a quaint Southern town,'' said Curran. ``It was charming and it was also economical.''
She and her 13-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Anne, live in Waterview.
``In my neighborhood, I know most of the 60 homes,'' she said. ``We have a picnic twice a year, we have a Christmas party, a caroling party. . . we watch out for each other.
``It's just something that you don't often find,'' said Curran, 45. ``It's just that warm, home, community feeling.''
Outside of work and home, Curran finds ways to give back to the community: soon she'll be walking to raise money for the March of Dimes; she's one of two vice chairwomen for this year's United Way campaign; she's a Sunday school teacher for Unity Renaissance Church in Chesapeake; and she's a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
And when there's any time left at the end of her day, Curran likes to dabble in paint.
``I started painting about 13 years ago when my daughter was born. I started painting clothing for her because she was a premature baby and, at that time, they didn't make cute little preemie clothes,'' she said.
``One of my favorite things these days is painting portraits of people's houses on rocks,'' she said. ``I take pictures of people's homes and paint them on rocks - big rocks.''
Her paintings, many of which are given as gifts, are detailed and very precise.
``That's the banker in me.''.
Name: Mary L. Curran
Neighborhood: Waterview
Number of years in Portsmouth: 12
Birthplace: Southern California
Birthdate: Dec. 10, 1949
Occupation: Assistant vice president, bank manager, Central Fidelity (closet artist)
What other job than your own would you like? Illustrator or unity youth education director
Marital status: Single
Children: Elizabeth Anne, 13
Fondest childhood memory: Summer spent on my grandparents' ranch in Nevada
First concert: The last concert was better: Portsmouth Community Concerts, ``The Mantovani Christmas Show,'' Willett Hall
What song or book title best describes your life? ``You'll See It When You Believe It'' by Wayne W. Dyer
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? After charities and college fund...a car from Don Comer!
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? The artist, Mary Englebreit, to experience her creative spirit
Biggest accomplishment: Loving relationship with my daughter and a successful career with a terrific company
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Laugh more and work less
Perfect way to spend the morning: Watching the sun rise (over the ocean) on a deserted beach with a friend and a cup of coffee
I can't resist: Roses, a good cause and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Who can choose one? Sotto Voce for its quaint atmosphere and great coffee; Brutti's for its sandwiches; Cafe Europa for its romantic atmosphere; The Max for its elegant entrees and desserts
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: My home
Biggest challenge facing Portsmouth: Recognizing and believing in our potential as a successful and prosperous community
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
Commitment, support and involvement of all residents for improvement
Successful completion of Vision 2005 Revitalization Plan
Harmony among all citizens
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? Friends, neighbors, sense of community, excitement and hope spurred by Vision 2005 ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
by CNB