A chronicle of Mickey’s history with the Cameron Senior Center and community she cherished:

Helena “Mickey” Crocker, (named Helena McNiff at birth) was born in our very own Forge Village October 20, 1928; 94 years later her myriad of accomplishments has rippled through the community to only create a more caring community.

Mickey proudly  served as Westford’s Town Aide for twelve years where she worked as a liaison between low-income residents, Community Teamwork and Westford Town officials. Mickey recalled as she learned her position and meeting with other Town aides that other municipalities had senior centers except for Westford and Chelmsford. Her professional collaboration with Community Teamwork allowed and encouraged her to find out what it would take to have a center for older adults to engage in activities and meal programs. However, she realized it wasn’t going to be an easy feat. With Mickey’s   perseverance she successfully organized the Golden Age Club which provided seniors with an opportunity to socialize, engage in activities, trips, special events and support services. She was excited that the Golden Age Club represented all five sections (villages) of Westford and various nationalities. As the club offered classes, dances, and continued growth they quickly outgrew their original meeting space found upstairs in the Westford Town Hall, Grantville Legion Hall (Post 159 FS Healy) and 2 Cross Street. Luckily, with Mickey’s special charm the Franco-American Club granted graciously donated the hall every month. While securing a place for the Golden Age Club Mickey simultaneously started the Council on Aging where she secured annual funding from the state and to this day the Westford Council on Aging continue to receive this vital funding from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. While securing key funding she started such programs which included: Meals on Wheels, Well-Oldster Clinic which provided various routine heath screenings and a hot meal for elderly every Tuesday and Thursday night at Westford Housing Authority communities.   As services and programs continued to grow Mickey still had her determined nature to find a permanent location for the Council on Aging.  She got wind that the Frost and the Cameron school would no longer be needed by the school department and was appointed by the Select Board to Chair the Building Re-Use Committee and that was the beginning of a dream for Mickey to see the Cameron School become home for what is now the Council on Aging and Cameron Senior Center. Helena “Mickey” Crocker shared, “I am so proud of all we have accomplished and the many people/volunteers who have helped to make the Cameron a wonderful and active place.” Amazing this building was built as a little two room schoolhouse in the 1800’s and it never looked better.

Mickey’s contribution to Westford was quoted in a published article “As her list of accolades stretch far and wide through our community.” So many pioneered efforts which are too many to list but included the creation of the Westford Food Pantry, Westford Housing Authority, Founder Foster grandparent program, Headstart classes, Pinch Hit program, Merrimack Valley Homecare, Founder,  Cameron Thrift Shop, Holiday Basket Program, Gay 90’s, Library newsletter, WISH and most recently was honored to have the Helena Crocker Residences attributed to her incredible legacy of truly, “giving.”