F.I.S.H. volunteer, 94, isn't slowing down

Teenagers aren't the only ones who get bored just sitting at home.

Such was the case for 94-year-old Anne Lischko of Carson City.

After Ann's husband, Joe, died, Ann found herself wanting to do something to keep busy. She noticed an ad in her church bulletin asking for volunteers in the dining room of Friends in Service Helping.

That was more than 16 years ago and Lischko is still volunteering her time and enjoying the company of her co-workers.

"I just love the people here," Lischko said. "Everyone is so friendly and kind."

Lischko is the salad maker and "official onion peeler" in the dining room.

"Everyone else cries when they peel the onions. I don't cry. I'm the only one who doesn't. I don't know why, but I'm not affected."

Lischko said she will peel potatoes or anything else needing to be done.

"I don't cook too much at home anymore, though," she said. "But I still drive."

Lischko had to give up another hobby about three years ago. "I bowled from when I was 60 until I was 91," she said.

Lischko and her husband moved to Carson City in 1954 from St. Louis. She has one daughter, Joyce, who lives in Rancho Cordova, Calif., two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

"Ann is the most incredible woman I think I've ever met," said Beth Scarcella, dining room manager. "She's the real boss around here, everybody knows that.

"But I absolutely love that woman. She's so quick, so sharp and right on top of everything. This dining room wouldn't run without the volunteers."

As the morning goes on, Lischko visits with volunteers and others who drop by to visit and bring donations. Lischko said the dining room offers good meals to those in need and she knows there has been an increase with today's economy.

"People are losing their jobs," Lischko said. "But they're treated real good here."

"I just hope I can keep going along as long as I can here. I really love everyone here and they treat me real well."

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.