Mercy alumna creates masks for Class of 2021 graduation

Last year when everyone was scurrying to find a mask, LuAnn Hardacker ‘75, became creative and resourceful. Not having any material in her home, she canvassed her neighborhood and used scraps to make masks for her neighbors. Still having material on hand, she made as many masks as possible

and brought them to Middlesex Hospital last spring. Once stores reopened, she was able to purchase material and she concentrated on making masks for the hospital, Gilead Community Services and Adelbrook Community Services.

LuAnn then brought her creativity up to another level and put her embroidery machine to use. She started with a bridal mask line. With the support of Marc Levin of Malloves Jewelers on Main St. Middletown, LuAnn was fortunate to sell the masks at Malloves. All proceeds from the $10. masks were donated to the Middlesex Hospital COVID Emergency Response Fund.

The masks were well received by the community and Luann continuing making masks, now based on holiday mask lines: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine and Easter. The next big event coming up was graduation. Thinking of her alma mater, LuAnn created a Mercy blue and gold mask. Alissa DeJonge, president of Mercy High, saw the masks and felt it was a win-win situation. “Mercy would provide the Class of 2021 with matching masks, handmade by an alumna, with proceeds going to our local hospital. Basically, it was a “no brainer!”

To date LuAnn’s mask making project has raised over $4,000. Through the COVID Emergency Response Fund, the hospital has been able to purchase additional ventilators, PPE, a trailer for testing, swabs, respirators and cleaning products.

Mercy thanks LuAnn for making the masks for the newest alumnae! Of course, a mask already been placed in the Mercy Class of 2021 memory box – all set to be brought out at their first class reunion in five years. We can only image what the young alums will say about mask wearing when they see it in 2026.