May 26, 2005

Special delivery

Popular New Almaden postmaster Mary Ball expects own special delivery June 16

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Most days it’s business as usual for New Almaden’s postmaster, Mary Ball. Nine years at the location, she knows the friendly residents well. In fact, she’s considered part of the community. And so they were thrilled when she announced she was pregnant with her first child.

Mary Ball, center in blue, with her mother and the New Almaden community at the baby shower. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“I’m so very fortunate,” said Ball, 44, about her special delivery. “All my worries about having the baby at my age and weight were unfounded. There have been no problems with anything. And the community of New Almaden—let’s just say I love it here and I’d be crazy to leave. I am so fortunate.”

Ball’s last day will be June 3 with an expected delivery date of the 16th. She says that the post office has been supportive of the pregnancy and has scheduled Cynthia Aguilar from the Campbell office to fill in for the six months she will be on maternity leave.

“When we heard about Mary’s pregnancy, we had to do something to support her,” said New Almaden Community Club member Kitty Monahan. “We decided to have a baby shower.”

And so the New Almaden residents scheduled a community potluck of everyone’s favorite dishes. Ball’s husband, Ron, her mother, Marguerite Rhodes and close friends were also in attendance. And for the baby boy, already named Nathanial David, all the items a newborn will need: a car seat, fringed cowboy rompers, T-shirts, baby bottles and even diapers designed as a cake. Peggy Melbourne crocheted an infant blanket and Trilby Petersen created a blue and red quilt complete with a small pillow for the new arrival.

“It’s a boy” diaper cake.

“What an outpouring of love,” said Ball. “My mother taught me to give back so I’m usually the one giving back.

This community is so special. When my father died, the New Almaden Garden Society planted flowers in front of the post office to welcome me back. The man next door cuts the bushes down next to the window. And when people come in to pick up mail at their post office boxes, they always check on me. They are just wonderful. I love it here.”

Ball moved to San Jose 30 years ago. She attended Oak Grove High School where she met her future husband, Ron. They married and lived in Weaverville, Calif. Missing San Jose, the couple returned, buying a house in Blossom Valley 11 years ago. She has been employed with the post office 21 years this coming August, the past nine in New Almaden. With 9/11, the couple began rethinking their goals. They decided to have a child. And a little over eight months ago, their dream came true.

“How nice it is to live in New Almaden,” said Agnes Yuseff, New Almaden’s retired postmaster and resident for over 50 years at the baby shower. “Everyone is so friendly and supportive. It has been the nicest 50 years of my life.”

Ball will be returning to the post office in November. And the New Almaden community plans to continue to support their friend. Already several residents have offered their day-care services and Ball is thrilled that the baby will be close to work, cared for by people she knows well and can trust.