EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
Merrimack Valley
Community comes to aid of grieving Haverhill family
Woman,nephew remembered by loved ones
Published: November 10, 2008
HAVERHILL — Many had never met Mary Pina, 50, or her 6-year-old nephew Daquon Davis. But that didn't stop them from donating clothing, furniture or homemade food to their grieving survivors over the weekend.
"I haven't had to pick up a frying pan," said Mary Clark, 52, co-owner of the home at 22 Warren St. where Pina and Daquon died in a fire Friday night. "They were both like roses on a rosebush. They were the most vibrant roses."
Daquon was a first-grader at Golden Hill School. Counseling services will be provided to students and staff today. The young boy's family was visited by school officials over the weekend.
"They've all been here sitting with us," Clark said of school administrators.
State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said the two died after they apparently became trapped on an upper floor of the home.
Investigators have not yet said what sparked the deadly fire, however, Clark last night said the probe was concluded and the blaze ruled accidental. She would not elaborate on the fire's origin and rebuffed earlier reports that the blaze was ignited when a television was knocked over by children playing.
"That's totally inaccurate," said Clark, who owns the home with her husband, Ford Clark.
Four adults and four children, including Pina and Daquon, lived in the two-story home off Howard Street.
"It was definitely an accident, an absolute accident. It's something we have to deal with as a family," Clark said.
The family attends Portland Street Baptist Church, which immediately opened its doors to help the surviving family members and collect donations. "It's the littlest church in town and yet so powerful," Clark said.
Police, firefighters, the American Red Cross, relatives, friends and strangers are all helping the family. Daquon's siblings are staying with the Rev. Joseph Woodbury, the church's pastor, and his family. Meanwhile, the Clarks and Joseph Pina sought refuge with family members.
"We are so thankful for everyone's support," she said. "That little 6-year-old boy has created a generous heart through the entire city of Haverhill."
Mary Pina, who Clark said suffered from speech impairment and mild Down syndrome, was married to Clark's brother Joseph Pina, who has a seizure disorder. Despite their disabilities, the two loved and cared for each other deeply and shared an indelible bond. They married in 1990.
"They've been with us ever since they got married," Clark said. Mary Pina's death left Joseph devastated. "He's just lost without his Mary," she said.
Mary Pina may have struggled in some respects "but she picked up where other people lacked," Clark said. "You'd know if Mary loved you in a minute."
Mary Pina worked for several years at Career Resources Corp. of Greater Haverhill, which provides jobs to disabled people. More recently, she was a nanny who helped Clark with Daquon and his three siblings. Clark was the children's legal guardian.
"She was wonderful. She looked out for all of the children," Clark said.
Contrary to previous press reports, Mary Pina was never employed as a certified nursing assistant. Clark, however, said she is a nursing assistant who formerly worked at Oxford Nursing Home and is now employed at Haverhill Crossings.
Clark was on her way to work Friday night when she received the call about the fire. She returned home not knowing what she would find.
"It's just an awful loss," she said. "This simply was a tragedy. A sad, sad accident."
Teddy bears, bouquets of flowers and children's toys were left outside the home yesterday. Yellow police tape was draped across the front entrance. The vinyl-sided home was built about 1930. It was most recently assessed at $183,300, according to the city's Web site.
Clark said she and her husband have fire insurance. They recently spent $78,000 on improvements, including new gutters, fencing, painting and other repairs. She was very upset with news accounts that described her yard and home as cluttered. She noted that four children lived there.
"They made it sound like a house of squalor," she said.
Family friend Samantha Spero, 19, stood outside the house in the dark last night, crying. She returned to the fire scene, hoping it would help her cope with the tragedy. She's friendly with the Clarks' children — Sarah, 19, and Derek, 20 — who no longer live at home. She vividly remembered Mary Pina's loving personality and Daquon playing in the yard with other kids.
"I use to be here every day," Spero said. "I'm just trying to take it all in."
