Naxera native Elsie Dame will be honored Saturday as grand marshal of Gloucester’s Citizens’ Christmas and Holiday Parade, which is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. from Main Street Center.
It’s difficult to think which organizations Dame, an avid volunteer in the community, has not been involved with during her lifetime in the county.
An active caregiver for her son, Dame, 84, still makes serving her community a priority in her life.
One of the things she and her family may be best known for is the annual Christmas tree lighting they would hold every year on their Naxera farm. The family would decorate a huge, 45-foot tree on the farm each year and invite the entire community to attend.
Dame also volunteered for many years in the school system while her children attended. Several of her roles included being a room mother and a teacher’s assistant. “I really enjoyed being a room mother for all of the kids,” she said.
She is also very active in her church, Severn, and has dedicated countless hours of time for the betterment of the church.
She is a member of the Walter Reed Garden Club and the Botetourt Belles, a group of alumnae who attended Botetourt School when it was still the county’s high school.
She has also worked countless elections, handing out literature and is a volunteer at local nursing homes.
“I love people,” Dame said, “and I love interacting with them.”
Gloucester resident Ben Higgins recommended Dame to be this year’s grand marshal. “Known to many, I believe Elsie deserves recognition for her great spirit and community activities in Gloucester County,” Higgins said.
Dame and her husband of 66 years, Tommy, served many years ago as grand marshals of the parade, and at first, she considered passing on the honor to another deserving person. “However, after some thought, I decided I’d be honored to serve the county. I love Gloucester so much.”
She also loves life and encourages people to enjoy each day because it is a gift from God. “Life to me is a lot what you make it,” Dame said. “I say enjoy each day and live life to the fullest. Today is the day the Lord has made, so let’s rejoice and be glad in it.”