SF Chronicle Profiles Shelter Cove's Mary Harris

Mary Harris, 93, climbs 160 steps from her house in Pacifica to get to the road. (Photo: Alex Washburn/The Chronicle)

Mary Harris, 93, of Pacifica must climb a hillside stairway to get from her beachfront home to civilization. She hikes out, then walks half a mile to catch public transit to San Francisco. It's all in the service of Democratic World Federalists, a peace organization where she has been the volunteer secretary for 20 years.

Why: Our road to Shelter Cove went out in 1982. My walking and climbing those stairs to do my volunteer work is a small price to pay.

Greatest accomplishment: Making two full round trips when I forgot my backpack a few months ago. This meant walking all the way back to my house. It is 160 steps to the base of the hill, then 160 stairs to the top. I still made it to the bus stop on time.

Gear you can't live without: Sturdy shoes, a backpack and books about world federation and the great need for it to end war.

Where you train: I probably "trained" in Paris from 1966 to 1968, walking up seven flights in an apartment without an elevator.

Time you get up in the morning: 6 when I do my volunteer work.

Best time to train: Whenever I leave my house.

Most annoying thing people assume about athletes in your sport: That I'm a mountain climber.

Advice you'd give a rookie: Walk a lot, eat and drink moderately, and watch your step. Have a purpose in your life greater than just yourself.

This article appeared April 4 on page E-2 of the San Francisco Chronicle.

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Comments

[Mitch Reid]

Mary is awesome! She is one of the sharpest radical thinkers I have ever met. She is in tune with and is on top of what is going on locally and worldwide. She is also one of the best and most soulful artists I know; her vast works of art are astounding and her style is always evolving. She is an inspiration to all who know her.

A little over a dozen years ago, when I was living in Shelter Cove, a landslide during a storm took out the trail. The only way out of the cove was to climb up the back cliff; this was before the 160 steps were put in. Mary (age 80 at the time) called me up and asked me if I (age 40) needed help getting out. Absolutely amazing.

Keep on rockin', Mary!

[Dan Underhill]

Yup. She's one of the world's best people.

[todd bray]

We have two of Mary's paintings and advise everyone to buy one soon.

[Peter Loeb]

If you don't know Mary, she is a natural wonder and a Pacifica treasure. She's also a wonderful artist. Her work is often shown at Sanchez Art Center. There's even an education room named after her there.