It's a kind of context about the person's life, since this is a local community publication, not a news wire service. One that is palatable to a wider audience than religion or political affiliation for a feel-good story like this. Though if she had no loving family and were engaged in the church, that is what I would have next expected to hear about since she is retired. If not retired, I would have expected a blurb about her job instead.

There's also a good chance, since she was interviewed, that that's how she described herself first.

"Tell me about yourself."

"Well, I'm a grandmother..."