PHOTOS: Happy Marie Holman Day!

Mayor John Rodolico declared March 21 to be Marie Holman Day on the 50th anniversary of Holman's appointment on the Parks and Recreation Commission.

A surprise party was held Wednesday for Holman, who thought she was going to a commission meeting. Friends, family and former commission members arrived from near and far to celebrate the occassion.

John Purdy, a former chairman of the commission had the pleasure of working with Holman for more than 20 years.

"She was a rock," he said. "She went to all the meetings and she was a tremendous assett.

Purdy said Holman's tenure made her the defacto historian for the commission and she often set the record straight when questions came up about previous decisions.

"Her whole heart was in the commission and the kids," he said. "She is a joiy."

Holman has served on the Parks and Recreation Commission for 50 years. She has also dedicated 75 years to Girl Scouts, as a scout and beyond, and Holman was a founding member of the Dow Chemical Community Advisory Panel.

Holman said she served and continues to serve on the commission simply because she "never got sick of it."

Marie and her husband Robert can be seen at various sporting events around town, especially Ledyard football games. Rep. Tom Reynolds (D), who grew up in Ledyard and is accustomed to seeing the Holmans in the bleachers and side lines, said, "I can't think of another couple that exemplifies the volunteer spirit of Ledyard."