Polio in the Depression era meant -- if not a death sentence -- at least a life confined to crutches, braces, a wheelchair or worse, an iron lung.

Sarah Foster McLean, who was stricken with that disease as a preteen and told she'd never walk again, died July 4 at Mercy Hospital at age 83. She had been put in a solid body cast for two years but, through sheer determination and fortitude, was able to shed the cast and live a fairly normal life -- without orthopedic appliances.

She was declared "cured" at age 16 and was living in Belmont when she met Brevard McLean, whom she married the next year. Oldest son Marvin was born a year later and Stewart, David and Ron followed. Stewart, a Marine, died in an auto accident in 1965 driving home from Cherry Point.

Sarah and Brevard worked separate shifts in a Belmont hosiery mill. She loved children and later cared for them for several years in her home. She also worked at Kings Mountain Hospital, another hosiery mill and finally at a second day care before her retirement.

Sarah adored children, said David's wife Cindy, and loved taking care of them. "When she was practically blind, she'd spot a kid and a big smile would come on her face. She was very family oriented and was close to her own family as well as to the McLean side."

Moved to Charlotte

Brevard died in 1995 and Sarah moved to Charlotte to be near David and his family.Sarah had to drop out of school in the 6th grade, but "She was a terrific mother," said Cindy. "She produced fine young men who turned out to be highly successful."

David recalled Cindy's first dinner with the family. "There was two of everything," he said. "Cindy didn't believe anybody cooked this way. Sunday dinners were like that at our house and Christmas was three times that." One of his favorites was "Jesus' birthday cake" -- a six-layer, three-flavor, white-frosted confection with jelly bean decorations.

As her health began failing, Sarah needed a wheelchair. She tried apartment living for awhile but it wasn't suitable. She was too confined and missed neighborly interaction.

"She needed to be with people," David said. Finally, he learned of Dorchester Village near Pineville and Sarah had found a new home. Its doors opened inward to the hallway, rather than outward to a street.

"You're gonna love it here"

She greeted newcomers at the entrance with, "You're gonna love it here," and extolled the excellence of her home. She wore out a battery in her motorized wheelchair helping set tables and frequently gave the cook a hand in the kitchen. "The kitchen keeps 100 on its sanitary rating," David said.

"Sarah always felt best when she was able to make herself useful in service to others," said Cindy. This selfless attitude and her straightforward approach to others endeared her to many of the residents and staff alike.

Sarah delivered welcome kits to new residents and took five or six meals an evening to room-bound residents.

"We're glad she could do this," David said. "It gave her a reason for being. She realized that and kept at it."

Her volunteer efforts were recognized not only by the Dorchester but also by Gov. Mike Easley in 2001. The beribboned and nicely framed awards hung in places of honor on her walls, David said.

We can't know if she now has walls for hanging her awards; but we'll bet she has a crown plumb full of stars.

Gerry

Hostetler