2023 -- S 0041

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF HELEN M. WILKERSON

     Introduced By: Senators Ruggerio, and Felag

     Date Introduced: January 18, 2023

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Helen

M. Wilkerson of South Dennis, Massachusetts. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, a daughter

of William and Helen Toner, and was a graduate of Cathedral High School in Springfield,

Massachusetts; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Wilkerson lived in Texas and Indiana for 27 years, and strived tirelessly

to provide for her family and loved ones. For more than 35 years, she worked for the Town of

Dennis in numerous capacities, including serving as a transfer station gatekeeper, town hall

receptionist, police matron, and election worker; and

     WHEREAS, In recognition of Ms. Wilkerson’s longtime role as gatekeeper, she was

awarded, by public vote, the Cape Cod Register’s Town Employee of the Year Award many

times. She also served on the Charles E. Chamberlain Jr. Parkway Study Committee, the

Insurance Advisory Committee, and the Conservation Land Trust; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Wilkerson was a longtime supporter of law enforcement and first

responders. In addition to working as a matron for the Dennis Police Department and the Town of

Yarmouth, she also volunteered as a member of the Dennis Police Citizen’s Police Academy, and

as a Barnstable County Deputy Sheriff. In recognition of her many years of assisting the Dennis

Fire Department, she was selected to read the Fireman’s Prayer for the new Route 28 fire station

dedication. She was most proud of her work with first responders assisting members of the Fire

Department in hosting families of the fallen 9/11 firefighters on annual Cape Cod vacations; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Wilkerson was a passionate and extremely knowledgeable sports fan.

Her early love of sports began in the 1940s and 1950s when she would listen to boxing matches

on the radio with her father. Her passion for sports soon expanded to include baseball and

football. She was a lifetime Dodgers fan and throughout the years would attend many of their

spring training games in Vero Beach, Florida, and regular season games at Dodgers Stadium in

Los Angeles. A highlight of her life occurred in 2020 when she attended the 2020 World Series

with her son, Timothy. She also was a huge New York Giant football fan and enjoyed wearing Eli

Manning’s jersey around Cape Cod; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Wilkerson was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and

friend who was beloved by all who knew her. She was a selfless, giving person with a wonderful

sense of humor, and immensely proud of her Irish heritage; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Wilkerson leaves behind her children, Janet Thelan and her husband,

Keith, David Wilkerson and his wife, Trayce, and Timothy Wilkerson. She also leaves behind her

sister, MaryAnne Wright, her brother, William Toner and his wife, Caroline, three

granddaughters, six great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and several cousins; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest

condolences to the Wilkerson Family on the passing of Helen M. Wilkerson; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Janet Thelan, David Wilkerson and Timothy

Wilkerson.

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