Helen Cleary, at almost 91 year old has been and is a role model for strong, caring, committed and involved women. I have had the honor of knowing her for 20 years.

It was hard to choose a category for her nomination as she has done so many things.
After serving her country in the US Marine Corp during WW 2, she returned home,worked the field of Public Health then received a Doctorate in Public Health from Harvard and continued working tirelessly for the good of all until her retirement.

Helen, a single woman, never the less, was the 'mother' to her 3 great nephews whose parents were not able to care for them properly. She really is the mother they never had and she continues that to this day. Helen also cared for her own mother till her mother's death.

She did not stop there! Helen was involved in her town of Norfolk Mass in many capacities, tirelessly serving on town boards, committee's, attending all the town meetings, writing articles for the local papers, always speaking up for what she thought was right. She is what you might call 'a fixture ' in her town!

A spiritual person as well, she modeled forgiveness and love always and still does, Those are the beliefs she lives by. I never hear her complain but always hear her speak with gratitude and love about whatever is happening.

Helen lives in the same house she moved into with her mother over 60 years ago. An old farmhouse in Norfolk, where she lives virtually alone with her doors are always open to welcome strangers, family and friends. She will cook for you, sit you down at her old kitchen table then after you have eaten, take you for a stroll through the beautiful gardens she created so many years ago.

This Thanksgiving with be the 61st year she has provided and served a Thanksgiving dinner to her great nephews, their friends and her extended family!
Helen has been and is my role model. She is the person who said to me in when I first met her, after listening to me complain.."Anne-Louise, you don't have to be a victim" That statement changed my life and still does to this day.