LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Mary Ellen Parsons for being selected as
the Citizen of the Year by the Guilford Historical Society

WHEREAS, Individuals who give of their time and energies and serve the
best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration and
cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Mary Ellen Parsons has given not only of her time and ener-
gies but also of her competence, intelligence and leadership and conse-
quently has been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Mary Ellen
Parsons for being selected as the Citizen of the Year by the Guilford
Historical Society on Monday, May 31, 2010; and
WHEREAS, Mary Ellen Parsons has been called upon to contribute her
time and talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has
always given of herself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, The Guilford Historical Society was organized in September of
1998 in order to preserve the history of the Township of Guilford and to
educate the community of the township's history to the present, record-
ing trends, changes, general history, and family histories; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of her community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Mary Ellen Parsons has stood
constant in dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, Mary Ellen Fellows graduated from Guilford High School in
1956; she worked at Fay's Gadget Shop, one of Guilford's historic busi-
nesses of the 1940s; and
WHEREAS, In 1957, Mary Ellen Fellows met Ray Parsons; they were
married on July 18, 1959; after having children, Mary Ellen became a
stay-at-home mother and during this time, she became a Cub Scout and
Girl Scout Den Mother; in addition, she worked for several years with
the Guilford Summer Program; and
WHEREAS, In 1970, having her youngest child Scott, born blind, prompt-
ed Mary Ellen Parsons to take Braille Certification lessons; this in
fact made her become only the second mother in New York State to have
her Braille Certification; and
WHEREAS, By 1977, Mary Ellen Parsons went to work at Guilford Elemen-
tary School first as a volunteer, and then as a Title One Reading Teach-
er; she held this particular position for 11 years; when the teaching
position was abolished, she became a Teacher's Aide, as well as tutored
and participated in the after school Latchkey Program; she retired from
Guilford Elementary in 1995; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, Mary Ellen Parsons began hosting class reunions for
her fellow Guilford High School alumni; she organized several more of
them over a span of 13 years, culminating with the 1995 reunion held at
Guilford Elementary School; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Guilford Historical Society, Mary Ellen
Parsons has been active for eight years, serving as trustee for two
years; she coordinated both the successful Guilford Houses and Struc-
tures Project and the Veterans Recognition Ceremony; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by her husband, Ray, as well as her children,
Carol and Steven, Mary Ellen Parsons has continued to be a true asset to
society; and
WHEREAS, With her throughout have been her children, Ronald Lee,
Suzanne Ranee, Mark Raymond, and Scott Michael, as well as her grand-
children, and great-grandchildren, all of whom feel privileged to be a
part of her life and rejoice in her achievements; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Mary Ellen Parsons has displayed
throughout her life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Mary Ellen Parsons for being selected as the Citizen of the Year
by the Guilford Historical Society; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mary Ellen Parsons.