First Framingham Senior Heroes Honorees Revealed

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Framingham Council on Aging for the first time in 2021 will honor local seniors who have made a difference in the community. The inaugural winners are being highlighted for their work in the arts, social development, health and public service.

Here are the winners, according to the Council on Aging:

Nubia Gazeta for social development: Nubia is a leader in the Portuguese-speaking community, leading the effort to blend the Brazilian culture into the fabric of the Framingham community since the late 1990s. She has been instrumental in assisting the registration of first-time voters among new immigrants and providing support for the underprivileged, who cannot advocate for themselves.

Anne Sullivan for health: Anne is a social justice warrior. She has worked tirelessly to make sure that Framingham’s environment is safe for all. Anne is actively involved in the fight to eliminate the ground chemicals impacting the health of our residents living on the south side of Framingham. Anne is also a vocal supporter of more affordable housing in Framingham and an advocate for residents in Framingham Senior Housing.

Padre Don Pachuta for social development and public service: Padre Pachuta is a role model in our community. He quietly works in the background and miraculously gets things done to meet the needs of diverse people in our community, who struggle to have the essentials to live day-to-day.

Merrily Herring for social development and public service: Merrily nurtures and connects people, ranging from the young to the old, with love. She has been a critical contributor to the blending of African American history into the Framingham community by being a founding member of:

• Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
• South Middlesex County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

The winners were picked by the Framingham Senior Heroes Awards committee, and the Council on Aging will hold an awards ceremony in 2021 as soon as it's safe to do so.