You Go, Girl

I couldn't resist passing on this article about a woman that is an amazing woman. Yes, she's a relative by marriage: her brother married The Mister's grandmother's sister. We chatted with her last year at the award ceremony when Morrison Ranch won the beautification award, and she is sharp as a tack at the age of 97. Here's the article from the Republic about Elizabeth Heagren:

After resigning a 27-year volunteer post as treasurer for the Gilbert Historical Museum, you might expect Elizabeth Heagren to take it easy for a while.

But the 97-year-old bookkeeper believes keeping busy with work that interests you is vital to a long, healthy life.

So on Tuesdays, just as she has done since 1979, she will drive herself to an afternoon shift to staff the museum's front desk and welcome visitors wanting to learn about Gilbert's history.

"You need something to keep your body and mind occupied - that part is a must," Heagren said. "That's the main problem (for) the people who don't last long after their mates pass away."

Heagren said she forced herself to stay active when her husband died shortly after the couple retired in Mesa, in 1972. They had returned to be closer to her brother and longtime Gilbert resident John Sawyer. Sawyer was president of the Gilbert Historical Society and asked his sister to join in his effort to preserve Gilbert's history.

Heagren's grade-school attendance in the building that now houses the museum has provided her the unique experience of helping to preserve a piece of her own history, which includes being born and raised in Gilbert to a family of farmers.

Heagren is proud to document the roots of people like her father, Hubert Sawyer, a Gilbert farmer and teacher who worked hard to ensure his hometown would prosper.

Though Heagren is passing on budgeting responsibilities for the museum, she is happy to offer her support to new treasurer Wally Delecki, 59.

Given Heagren's experience as a mathematician - she retired as an accountant - and her years as treasurer, Delecki said he was curious to hear her formula for a successful tenure.

Heagren said her No. 1 piece of advice was pretty straightforward: "I used the simplest accounting system there is - cash in/cash out - I made the deposit and wrote checks for the bills right away. No delays."

Delecki, former Gilbert Public Schools superintendent, realizes he has big shoes to fill.

"She is a wonderful human being that has survived in a small town as it grew up around her. She is part of the heritage of this community," Delecki said. "I hope I am blessed with the good health and happiness to also serve 28 years (as treasurer)."

Though Delecki commended Heagren for her strict work ethic, he said he most admired her ability to delight in life. She is still involved with her church, weekly bowling and loves to read whodunit mysteries, he added.

"She's models (the idea) if you stay useful, you stay youthful," Delecki said. "She gives you a perspective that many of the younger folks do not realize - your roots are in people, not in places and things."

She chooses not to drive at night, and she only drives locally, but she remembers things better than I do, and has rather a quick wit. I can't think of a better greeter at the Historical Museum. If you haven't been there yet, it's a great place to get a sense of the history of Gilbert. Just ask Elizabeth; she lived it.