The dictionary defines the word legend as an extremely famous or notorious person, especially in a particular field. But there are rare occasions where a person is not defined by a word, instead it is they who define the term.
Last week, Queens, the community of Woodhaven in particular, lost a legend. Her name is Maria Thomson. For nearly 30 years, we at The Forum were repeatedly awestruck by the tireless devotion and dedication that seemed to emanate from every pore of her body.
She was a master of all games needed to successfully launch campaigns and efforts to better a neighborhood. There was none before her, and we dare say there will be none after her.
Always aimed at a target and an end to serve the community, she tackled each task with fierce determination, tempered by skill, an abundance of class, and an undeniable grace.
Never a pushover and forever a lady, her commitment to raising the standard of all things Woodhaven, Maria had a way of getting whatever she wanted, and that was because whatever she wanted was for the good of everyone. Friends and adversaries alike repeatedly marveled at her genteel manipulation to the collectively good end.
Whether it was through her service on Community Board 9, the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation, the BID, the 102nd Precinct Community Council, the organization of shopping days on Jamaica Avenue, or the celebration of every holiday–community style and in full costume– Maria was on top of it all. More often than not, at the same time.
She was a devoted wife, mother, community advocate, friend and staunch supporter. The diversification of her base included politicians, clergy, activists, police, fire and most importantly the residents of the place to which she gave her life: Wonderful Woodhaven.
As the Publisher of The Forum for more years than I care to admit, I have encountered many people, some of whom tried to wear many hats at the same time. Their efforts, although valiant, often saw them fall victim to the old adage of “spreading oneself too thin.” But Maria had a fluidity about her that allowed her to spread effectively without ever compromising one goal for another.
In my most recent communication with her through a series of emails, she thanked me for The Forum’s continued service to the community and for always publishing pictures and releases focused on Woodhaven.
It occurred to me that it was rather odd for someone in her position, someone who ate, slept and breathed community service, to be thanking us for just doing our job. Because her service wasn’t a job. She never earned a dime from it and many times her deeds fell into a category labeled “Thankless.”
And so I found myself with the opportunity to do something that could never have been done enough for her: I penned an email back to Maria that I would like to share with all of The Forum readers, because I feel that it clearly demonstrates how important it is to let people know how we feel about them, and how even in death, someone like Maria teaches us the most valuable of life’s lessons.
Maria,
The thanks should really go to you. Not only for your constant support of the paper but for the decades of wonderful work that you have done. Very few people are aware of the dedication and the sacrifices that you have offered for the benefit of your community. On behalf of everyone that might not remember to tell you, The Forum and I thank you for your selfless and oftentimes thankless work that has made our neighborhood a better place to live!
Pat
I am thankful to have taken that opportunity, and more than that, I am very thankful to have enjoyed a relationship with a woman who is the embodiment of community service.
Maria Thomson. She was, is and always will be the stuff of which legends are made.
Rest in Peace.
