Unionville Resident Named A 2011 Hero

At the 2011 Heroes of the American Red Cross breakfast celebration held at the Farmington Marriott this morning, one dog, nine people and one high school class from Northern and Eastern Connecticut were honored “for having done extraordinary things for their neighbors.” All recipients were nominated by members of their communities.

Unionville resident Judith Reardon, RN, BSN was the recipient of a Medical Professional Award, presented by State Rep. Bill Wadsworth, 21st District and Robert M. Annon, Jr., Regional President, Webster Bank.

Reardon was joined at the breakfast by her four children, Rotary President Stephen Wasley, Tunxis Community College President Cathryn Addy, and Robin and Frank Simmons from Simmons Family Farm, where she also volunteers.

Reardon has lived in Farmington for 35 years. She was recognized for helping others in need locally, nationally and internationally.

“I think there are extraordinary heroes in ordinary neighborhoods. They are what inspire me,” Reardon said. “I don’t feel like a hero. You don’t have to wear a cape to be a hero.  I just feel like I’m doing what I really want to do. I have been very fortunate for the support of my family and  to live in an extremely fabulous community. Farmington Rotary, my church and my neighbors have all supported my work both financially and spiritually.”

Reardon also takes courses at Tunxis Community College “just to learn. I was involved in a service learning project with four other students- 18 to 20 years old - that was a culture shock!”

The event program describes her many involvements. “She traveled to Haiti, following the earthquake in January 2010, on a medical mission with Faith Cares, a non-profit organization based in Farmington. Upon arrival, she witnessed the massive destruction and the enormity of the medical needs of the people.  No stranger to international disaster relief, she immediately plunged into action, doing whatever was needed from screening patients to equipment preparation to working in the makeshift operating room.

Over the years, Reardon has participated in international medical missions in Sri Lanka, Rwanda, Guatemala, Colombia, El Salvador, Brazil, Mexico, India, Vietnam and China.  On the home front, she went to New York after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack and she goes to the Sioux Reservation in South Dakota to help in the clinic and provide health education. Locally, she has served as an assistant medical director of the Children’s Burn Camp for the past seven years.

When she was working full-time, Reardon used her vacation time to travel to third world countries and her state-side missions to “work.” Now she goes as often as she is able. She travels at her own expense, often with some support from her church, her friends, the local Rotary Club and other organizations.

Her love is working with children, but her healing gifts know no boundaries. She befriends young and old alike on her trips.  “Judy is the epitome of a selfless hero who gives of herself to help others,” said Patricia Clark of St. James Parish Outreach Committee in Farmington, who nominated Judy for the award.  “We are in awe of her dedication to her profession, even in retirement.”  Judy leaves for a surgical mission in Nigeria on March 25.”

Presenting the award Wadsworth said, “Today’s Medical Professional demonstrates incredible compassion for others. As a nurse, Judith Reardon worked to help and heal the sick. As a volunteer she has devoted countless hours to helping the poor, the under-served or the victims of devastating disasters both here at home and around the world. We are justly proud of this Unionville resident and inspired by the work she continues to do, even in retirement.”

“I am honored to present this award on behalf of Webster Bank. Judy has changed and saved countless lives through her volunteerism. Her sense of compassion and charity are truly inspiring and an example for all of us. Her willingness to travel to difficult, sometimes dangerous locations to help others has set her apart as hero today” said Annon.

Hero Awards were also presented to:

Woodstock Valley, Firefighter, Lt. Michael Lawrence. Driving on I-84 while off duty, Lawrence was one of the first on the scene of an accident and pulled a motorist out of a burning car with just seconds to spare.

Winsted, Military, Rev. Lin McGee. McGee ministers to military families and founded and is the national chaplain for the Connecticut chapter of the Blue Star Mothers of America.

North Stonington, Water Safety, Sean Lewis. While working as a pool attendant at Foxwoods Resort, Lewis rescued a two-year-old boy who had fallen in the pool.

New Britain, Animal, Cassie. Cassie serves as an unofficial Red Cross instructor dog for classes in pet first aid and CPR, allowing students to bandage her and check her vital signs. She also does pet therapy in hospitals, senior citizen homes and emergency shelters.

West Hartford, Good Samaritan Youth, Lydia Henning. A sixth grade student, Henning organized a fundraiser at her middle school for the “Vaccinate a Village” measles initiative.

West Hartford, Medical Professional, Robert Fuller, M.D. Chief of Emergency Medicine at UConn Health Center in Farmington, Associate Professor at the UConn School of Medicine and member of the International Medical Corps, Dr. Fuller was one of the first physicians to arrive in Haiti following the January 2010 earthquake.

Tolland, Law Enforcement, TFC Timothy Begley, who risked his own life to save a man who had fallen into a pond on a freezing January 2010 night.

Hartford, Community Impact, Matt Fitzsimons. Fitzsimons came up with the concept of a school for at-risk underprivileged girls in the inner city. He secured a site and funding and Grace Academy tuition free middle school opened in the fall of 2010.

Old Lyme, Good Samaritan, Adult Jesse Matarazzo. Matarazzo, then 18 years old, rescued a woman from a burning car last August, saving her life.

Somers, Spirit of the American Red Cross, Somers Class of 2017. With “Live on Purpose” as their motto, this sixth grade class held a basketball shooting fundraiser and donated $1800 to the Town of Somers to purchase new American flags to display on Main St. They also planned a ceremony to honor local veterans and military families, Hometown Heroes.

“These heroes all  really embody the Red Cross values of compassion and helping neighbors and symbolize what we do. This is a great opportunity for us to recognize and thank these heroes in our community,” said Paul Shipman, American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter Senior Director, Communications and Government Relations.

Wells Fargo was the presenting sponsor.

For more information, visit the American Red Cross Connecticut Region website.