A woman known as a friend to all, matriarch of a prominent family, a mentor, fundraiser and a role, model will be honored this month in in a grand luncheon event.

The Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay has selected Jane Ellen Mengason as this year’s Lower Shore Woman of Distinction.

A luncheon honoring Mengason will be held on Friday, May 29, at Dove Pointe in Salisbury from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Luncheon seats are available for $50 per person and sponsorship/advertising opportunities are still available. Catering by Watermen’s Inn. To reserve a seat at the luncheon or find out more about sponsorship/advertising opportunities, please call 410-742-5107.

This year’s event Honorary Chair is Ginnie Malone and the Co-Chairs are Susan Purnell and Ashley Bosche.

Mengason is a Salisbury native and graduate of Wicomico Senior High School. She attended Stephens College and taught Special Education in Wicomico County for several years.

She joined her mother’s interior design business, Jane Bounds Interiors, where she worked for several years before retiring.

She has been married to George J. Mengason for 50 years. They have two sons, Andrew and Bill; two daughters-in-law, Alysse and Mary; and three grandchildren Drew, Will and Hayden.

Mengason is active in the local community and supports a variety of organizations including the Salisbury Symphony, March of Dimes, Salisbury Zoo, Village of Hope, Coastal Hospice, Women Supporting Women, Art Institute & Gallery, Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore Women’s Fund, American Heart Association, and Habitat for Humanity.

She has been a member of Trinity Church for over 50 years and a past Altar Guild Member.

She is a lifetime member of Wicomico Garden Club and served two terms as president. She is a past member of PRMC Junior Auxiliary where she served as the Correspondence Secretary.

Each year the Lower Shore Woman of Distinction event celebrates a woman who has made a difference in their community, inspired others, and provided a positive role model for girls and young women.

Past recipients include the Karen Gordy, Debbie Abbott, Susan Purnell, Connie Strott, Paula Morris and Ginnie Malone. Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay founded the Women of Distinction Celebrations to honor women who have made significant contributions on the Delmarva Peninsula through their work, philanthropy and community service.

As Women of Distinction, they have broken through the glass ceiling in their respective fields, pioneered new and innovative ideas and business strategies, acted as positive role models for girls, and embodied the values of Girl Scouting.