2023 -- S 0041
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
EXPRESSING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF HELEN M. WILKERSON
Introduced By: Senator Dominick J. Ruggerio
Date Introduced: January 18, 2023
Referred To: Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
WHEREAS, It is with deep sadness that this Senate has learned of the passing of Helen 1
M. Wilkerson of South Dennis, Massachusetts. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, a daughter 2
of William and Helen Toner, and was a graduate of Cathedral High School in Springfield, 3
Massachusetts; and 4
WHEREAS, Ms. Wilkerson lived in Texas and Indiana for 27 years, and strived tirelessly 5
to provide for her family and loved ones. For more than 35 years, she worked for the Town of 6
Dennis in numerous capacities, including serving as a transfer station gatekeeper, town hall 7
receptionist, police matron, and election worker; and 8
WHEREAS, In recognition of Ms. Wilkerson’s longtime role as gatekeeper, she was 9
awarded, by public vote, the Cape Cod Register’s Town Employee of the Year Award many 10
times. She also served on the Charles E. Chamberlain Jr. Parkway Study Committee, the 11
Insurance Advisory Committee, and the Conservation Land Trust; and 12
WHEREAS, Ms. Wilkerson was a longtime supporter of law enforcement and first 13
responders. In addition to working as a matron for the Dennis Police Department and the Town of 14
Yarmouth, she also volunteered as a member of the Dennis Police Citizen’s Police Academy, and 15
as a Barnstable County Deputy Sheriff. In recognition of her many years of assisting the Dennis 16
Fire Department, she was selected to read the Fireman’s Prayer for the new Route 28 fire station 17
dedication. She was most proud of her work with first responders assisting members of the Fire 18
Department in hosting families of the fallen 9/11 firefighters on annual Cape Cod vacations; and 19
WHEREAS, Ms. Wilkerson was a passionate and extremely knowledgeable sports fan. 20
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Her early love of sports began in the 1940s and 1950s when she would listen to boxing matches 1
on the radio with her father. Her passion for sports soon expanded to include baseball and 2
football. She was a lifetime Dodgers fan and throughout the years would attend many of their 3
spring training games in Vero Beach, Florida, and regular season games at Dodgers Stadium in 4
Los Angeles. A highlight of her life occurred in 2020 when she attended the 2020 World Series 5
with her son, Timothy. She also was a huge New York Giant football fan and enjoyed wearing Eli 6
Manning’s jersey around Cape Cod; and 7
WHEREAS, Ms. Wilkerson was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and 8
friend who was beloved by all who knew her. She was a selfless, giving person with a wonderful 9
sense of humor, and immensely proud of her Irish heritage; and 10
WHEREAS, Ms. Wilkerson leaves behind her children, Janet Thelan and her husband, 11
Keith, David Wilkerson and his wife, Trayce, and Timothy Wilkerson. She also leaves behind her 12
sister, MaryAnne Wright, her brother, William Toner and his wife, Caroline, three 13
granddaughters, six great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and several cousins; now, 14
therefore be it 15
RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest 16
condolences to the Wilkerson Family on the passing of Helen M. Wilkerson; and be it further 17
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 18
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Janet Thelan, David Wilkerson and Timothy 19
Wilkerson. 20
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