THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021 Page 5 ASKS | FROM PAGE 4 such a great source of knowledge for the board. Besides all the work she did for the town, she did a lot of volunteer stuff behind the scenes as a member of the Veterans Council Auxiliary. She made sure that the newspapers were apprised of the parades and ceremonies and various events.” Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Ronald M. Wallace, who go to know Reed from her days as School Committee chair and also sent his Cemetery Commission request letter to the five selectmen: “Wendy’s legacy should be how much she did for Saugus and never wanted credit for any of it.” School Committee Vice Chair Ryan Fisher “A couple of years ago, I had this unexpected, time-sensitive need for information on a vote by the Board of Selectman from the mid-to-late 90s. It was well before social media, and I couldn’t find anything anywhere. I reached out to a few people who had no idea what I was talking about, but everyone said, ‘Ask Wendy, ask Wendy.’ I was getting desperate and ran up to her after a selectmen meeting, hoping she could point in the direction of some box in a basement somewhere. I think it may have been the first time we ever spoke. I didn’t know her and she didn’t know me. She was very kind, immediately recalled the vote, the year, who was on the board at the time, the yays and nays, all off the top of her head. She emailed me everything I needed within a few hours. “My heart breaks for my friends who knew her well whose hearts are breaking, for her family and everyone who knew and loved her, and for the people of Saugus. Not only was she someone who helped countless people in countless ways, but she had a Radar O’Reilly level of institutional memory that can’t be replaced. The next time someone needs something archaic in a hurry, who will we call?” School Committee Member Joseph “Dennis” Gould, who got to know Reed many years ago while working on various volunteer social projects to help less fortunate people in the community: “My fondest memories of Wendy was working with her and Rev Martha Leahy on a behind the scenes homelessness committee. We helped many families and single mothers in Saugus who needed temporary shelter and food. We also helped house and feed HAWC mothers and children that needed a safe place to stay until HAWC could find them more suitable long term shelter. We did that for many years and helped many and Wendy made herself available regardless ofTime of day or day of the week. She really cared about helping others and never was looking for public recognition.” World Series Park Superintendent Bob Davis, who got to see Reed as a helpful, friendly voice of Saugus Town Government: “I was shocked to hear about Wendy. She was such a valuable asset to the Town of Saugus. She was not only very knowledgeable about many things but was very helpful to anyone who needed to know how to try to make something happen in town. Many times I went to her for advice on town matters and came away with what to do. She was involved in one of our Special Olympics Days and contributed a lot by the speech she gave. Wendy was a true Saugonian and really cared about Saugus. She will surely be missed. Bob Davis, World Series Park.” Veteran Services Officer Jay Pinette, who got to know Reed from working out of Town Hall and collaborating on food distribution issues related to needy veterans: “I’ve only known Wendy for the 3 years that I’ve worked in Saugus. I always found her to be very pleasant and easy to work with. She and I coordinated the deliveries of food to the food pantry up by Cliftondale Square (next to the MEG Building) I could tell that she was VERY concerned about the folks that went to the food pantry and motivated to help them. She will be greatly missed.” Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Corinne Riley, who got to know Reed through their respective involvement in local government and volunteer causes for more than a decade: I have known Wendy personally for 11 years. We served on the School Committee for 2 terms together, the Veterans Council and now working with her on the board. She had a memory unlike any other. She could answer anything you had questions with. She served her community in many ways, always gave back and asked for nothing. She had declined 2 recognitions for her dedication to the food bank and other community involvement because she hated the limelight. Wendy was a very private person, she didn’t show her true feelings, or talk about personal issues very often. The first time she said to me “I shouldn’t be telling you this”...I knew she trusted me and believe me, that meant something if she confided in you. She did not pull any punches, no was no and you followed the rules. I respected her so much for that because usually people bypass the right way of doing things for all the wrong reasons. Wendy had a sense of humor that came out once in a while and it was so unexpected that you ASKS | SEE PAGE 7
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