Retired U.S. Navy Veteran Sews Hundreds Of Face Masks For Others

ODENTON, MD — When Anne Arundel County residents learned they had to wear face coverings in order to enter businesses and other establishments, not everyone had one handy. Not everyone can afford to buy them, either. Nilla McIntyre, who is retired, set out to make hundreds of face masks for those who needed one and didn't charge anyone a dime.

Janet Kay Schlosser nominated McIntyre as a local Patch hero for her tireless efforts in helping others during the global pandemic. But McIntyre's selflessness didn't surprise Schlosser, she told Patch

"Nilla and her husband Gerry's military service comprises both as U.S. Navy veterans. Gerry is a retired chief intelligence specialist on four different vessels plus numerous shore stations spanning his 20-year career. Nilla is a 24-year veteran and Yeoman Master Chief retiree with various stateside and overseas tours. She was the flag writer for the Director, Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Pentagon, followed by flag writer for three vice admirals serving as Commander, Naval Surface Forces. Now, both Nilla and Gerry serve the Cedar Ridge Community where they live as master board members in various capacities."

When McIntyre reached 300 face masks, she didn't stop there. So far, they have been distributed to the Cedar Ridge Community, Food Lion employees, Bay Area Wellness Group, Maid to Work employees and various friends and family members.

"Since masks were not available in stores and different groups had requested sewers help by making masks, I knew that this was something that I could do. I had noticed that the workers in Food Lion were not wearing masks and wanted to provide for them since I considered them to be on the front line. I am a quilter and had plenty of material, and I wanted to do my community service by ensuring people that needed a mask could get one," McIntyre told Patch.

She learned how to sew in high school, but didn't throw herself into the art until she retired from the Navy.

"I am strictly an amateur seamstress, but I joined the Eternal Quilters Club and have improved quiet a lot since then. We make patriotic quilts for the Veteran Honor Salutes Program at the Hospice of the Chesapeake in Pasadena," McIntyre said. "Everyone was very appreciative, especially when the state mandated that you had to wear masks in public areas. Most of the people I gave masks to would not have been able to get a mask."

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