David Rowntree, ’54, shares a story of friendship and resilience in his latest book, “The Umbrella Lady: The Story of Maria Martinez Gomez.” Inspired by his volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity and his deep connection to Mexican families, the book recounts how he and his wife, Marge, first encountered Maria in 1996 at the Otay Mesa border crossing between San Diego and Tijuana.
Amid the traffic, they noticed a woman in a wheelchair who always carried an umbrella — earning her the nickname “The Umbrella Lady.” They later learned the umbrella offered both physical protection and a measure of dignity as she struggled to make a living by begging.
What began as a chance encounter evolved into a meaningful friendship with Maria and her two sons. Rowntree chronicles the next two and a half years of their relationship — a moving narrative of compassion, perseverance and human connection.
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