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Group honors Anne Rush's 60 years of service
dbachman@observer-reporter.com
Members of the Washington County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution believe there is only one person in the country with more tenure in the organization than Anne Rush.
The Washington woman recently marked her 60th year as a member, and earlier this month, she was honored for her dedication to the DAR and the community.
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Rush joined the local DAR chapter on June 8, 1949, at age 23, at the urging of her aunt.
"Most people were 40, 50 years old before they joined," she said. "I was in my 20s."
Rush traces her ancestry to Pvt. Michael Rush, who fought in the Revolutionary War. She also believes that Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, is one of her forefathers because their coat of arms is the same.
"We can't claim him," she said.
Rush was born in Lone Pine, a daughter of Joseph Elza Rush and Julia VanDyke Rush.
"My mom was born in Amity. She always said, 'We didn't go very far,'" Rush said. "But, she said there are worse places."
Even though Rush has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis since she was an infant, it hasn't stopped her from actively - and enthusiastically - beautifying her community.
She carries out the chapter's participation in the Adopt a Highway Litter Control program in downtown Washington, and she helps maintain floral decorations around the Madonna of the Trail on Route 40. She also has helped the chapter raise money for the American Cancer Society by selling Dining for Two books, and she is involved with the tea and awards program held for winners of the high school historical essay contest.
Rush, who retired from Mellon Bank after 40 years of employment, serves as the chapter's vice regent, and in the absence of Miriam Rothkopf during the winter, assumes the role of regent.
