Blog

In Her Words
Candid profiles of strength told by the women of Northbridge

Throughout the month of March we have collaborated to celebrate Women’s History Month and the rich history of the amazing women living in our communities. Their candid stories are brimming over with love, happiness, passion, family values and the markings of individuals who have truly lived well and loved life.

Marion’s Story (Resident of Laurelwood at The Pinehills) told with the guidance of her sister Deb

What is your name?
Marion but everyone calls me Jean

What are the names of your parents and brothers and sisters?
I have 3 siblings, John, Mary Ellen and Deb.

When and where were you born?
I was born in Utica, New York on January 11.

What schools did you attend? What were your favorite subjects?
I graduated from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, New York majoring in English and Liberal Arts.

If married, what is/was your husband’s name? How did he propose?
I am not married but my home has always been shared by a menagerie of kitties. Currently, Maggie the Cat shares my apartment at Laurelwood and is pampered by all.

Where have you lived?
I lived in Boston in the early 60’s and spent the recent decades (since early 70’s) living in D.C. and Northern Virginia. Several times a year I would visit my sister and brother in law in Plymouth, MA and have now made it my permanent home.

Have you had jobs? Who did you work for and what did you do?
My professional background includes work in adoption and placement services for MASS. Department of Social Services, work in the government agency “Office of Economic Opportunity”- War on Poverty, Political activism with the National Women’s Political Caucus 1991. From 1990 to retirement in 2006, I served as Director of CCSSO (Council of Chief State School Officers) a non-profit organization that represents the state superintendents of preK-12 education in all 50 states. While working at CCSSO myself and my staff developed new performance-based licensing policies for beginning teachers and developed licensing instruments for assessing teacher preparation programs. My INTASC model core teaching standards have been adopted into policy in 37 states, currently serving as the basis for teacher preparation and accreditation and are used by hundreds of teacher preparation programs. From 2003-2005 I also served as Director of the Center for improving teacher Quality at CCSSO- a multi-million dollar federally funded center that worked with states on developing models for improving the preparation, licensing and professional development of both general and special education teachers of students with disabilities.

Do you have holiday traditions? What do you do for the holidays?
My favorite holiday activity is to attend the BSO Holiday Pops!

What are you favorite experiences to partake in at Laurelwood at The Pinehills?
I love all the exercise programs, especially yoga and Tai Chi and any musical presentation in the living room.

What is your biggest piece of advice?
Stay loose!

Sum your personality up in 1 word?
Jeans family thinks her personality is typified by “Let’s make this work!”