Framingham Council on Aging honors four 'Senior Heroes' for volunteerism to the city
FRAMINGHAM — Each year since 2021, the Framingham Council on Aging has recognized four "Senior Heroes" — residents over age 60 who have dedicated time and effort to making the city a better place to live.
Council on Aging board member Glenda Thomas came up with the idea during the pandemic as a way to recognize older residents who have contributed to Framingham through volunteering. Residents are nominated, interviewed and ultimately selected by the Senior Heroes Award Committee.
On Thursday, the Senior Heroes of 2024 were honored at the Callahan Center. Each honoree is recognized for one of four district categories:
Carol Lach, Culture and Arts
Cynthia Villanueva, Social Development
Maureen Dickey, Health and Healthcare
Judith Grove, Public Service
Carol Lach
Why she was recognized: Lach was honored for her work at the Framingham History Center, teaching student classes, including a third-grade class on the history of indigenous people in Framingham. She also hosts "Novel Ideas," a show on Access Framingham TV where she interviews local authors. Lach is involved in the Callahan Center's book discussion and Latino Americano groups.
What they said about her: "Carol is an avid helper and persistent listener. As folks get around, she encourages them to consider opportunities for good, understand each other's paths, and make each other's journey easier. She draws people from different backgrounds, ages, cultures and abilities to share, understand and value diversity in our city." — Senior Heroes Award Committee member Kathie McCarthy.
What she said: "At times life is easy, fun and enjoyable. At other times it can be incredibly difficult, but helping one another is what it's really all about. We're not here to spread hatred, make comparisons or pass judgment, but to reach out and simply become friends."
Last year's honorees: Four seniors from Framingham honored for lifelong volunteerism
Cynthia Villanueva
Why she was recognized: Villanueva was honored for her dedication in promoting bilingual education, as well as activism for LGBTQ+ rights. She was an educator helping connect non-English speaking families with valuable resources, and working with students in the LGBTQ+ community.
What they said about her: "For over two decades, Cynthia served Framingham's diverse youth as a bilingual educator in Framingham's school system. But it's her extraordinary volunteer efforts outside the classroom, where she advocated for diversity and inclusivity, that we're recognizing her for today. For many years she was a volunteer liaison to Spanish-speaking families in the school's ESL program. She gave those families a voice, especially to those families whose children were bullied due to their race or immigration status, even going to the point of connecting them to office of civil rights." — Senior Heroes Award Committee member Brian Sullivan.
What she said: "My mother always made sure to show how fortunate we were when we were growing up, and how we shouldn't waste and always help others. Everyone was always invited to sit at our table. When she brought us snacks, she always brought enough for the whole neighborhood and pushed us to share with our friends. She pushed us to defend those who were ridiculed or mocked just because they were different, and to not judge someone because of their differences."
Maureen Dickey
Why she was recognized: Dickey was honored for her years working at the Callahan Center Blood Pressure Clinic. A nurse, Dickey used her medical experience while volunteering throughout the city, including at the Brazilian American Center, the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center and Latino Health Services.
What they said about her: "Maureen's commitment to nursing extends far beyond a mere profession. It's a deeply personal mission. For over 15 years, Maureen has devoted approximately 3,120 hours to our community. Maureen embraced the importance of promoting self-care, and educating blood pressure clinic attendees about a healthy lifestyle. Her approachable nature and unwavering encouragement have made her a trusted resource." — Senior Heroes Award Committee member Brenda Diaz.
What she said: "God put me in the right place when he chose nursing for me. It was a career for over 60 years, I still have my license and I will have it until I die. I loved nursing, and as an emergency room nurse, you needed to be able to accept anybody, diversity, socio-economic, anything. I am so grateful for this honor, and until I die, I'd love to keep teaching and embracing all people. I am here for them."
Judith Grove
Why she was recognized: Grove was honored for her efforts and outreach concerning environmental justice. Grove has been a longtime advocate and was instrumental in the cause of closing, cleaning up and restoring Mary Dennison Park. A former city councilor, Grove serves on the Community Preservation Committee and also helped open Framingham's first skate park at Farm Pond.
'Started in 2014': Mary Dennison Park is slated for a $43 million upgrade
What they said about her: "Judith has been one of the most passionate individuals in Framingham, particularly in the area of diversity and inclusivity. Judith has made an inestimable number of contributions to the community, from the first time she stepped foot in Framingham, Judith's hard work for the development for the very first skate park at Farm Pond, has invited the Framingham youth with not only a space to be athletes, but to form friendships with kids from all socio-economic groups," — Senior Heroes Award Committee member Bob Evelyn.
What she said: "Someone asked me why I do volunteer work, and first I said it makes you happy, but then I realized it isn't happiness, it is joy. Joy is far deeper than happiness. You can be happy because you won the lottery, you can be happy because you had a good meal, but joy comes from helping others. Joy has to do with seeing what your strengths are and using your strengths to help others."
This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Framingham Council on aging names four Senior Heroes
