The Great Citizen: Kathy Lucero

 She wakes up, works, and takes care of her grandchildren. She interviews veterans, studies history, and is involved in her community. This is just the everyday life of Kathleen Lucero.

 Kathy Lucero grew up in Woburn, MA. She had a very large family. She was the oldest child of 11. Kathy went to work at Mahoney’s at age 14. She had to work because her family needed the money.

 Her favorite family member was her Uncle Jimmy Oroik. He was a twin and a WWI veteran. He got wounded in France, and his twin died in 1918. With no more family left (no parents either), he went to war. Kathy was very interested in World War I, so she found Uncle Jimmy interesting.

 Kathy was 19 when she got married in 1970. She decided she wanted her own family, something that was hers. She feels that parenting makes you responsible and a better person. “You get to share your life with other people.” There is “no loneliness.”

 Kathleen went to St. Charles school for girls. The class size was 34 and “everyone knew everybody.” She thinks all girls made it more fun, and helped them become friends for life. The classes were also smaller, and she still knows most of the girls now. When asked about the difference of school now and then, she thinks now we have more opportunities and better technology, but a lack of community activities compared to what they had back then. She was an average student, and so were her friends. When asked about her classmates now Kathy said, “Many live in Woburn, some are already dead.”

 In school, Kathleen’s favorite subject was history. She had eight sisters, but didn’t see them during school because the second oldest and closest to her age (Maureen), was 3 classes behind.

 St. Charles had lots of school spirit, and there were many ways for students to show it.  During her school years, Kathy was a cheerleader, a captain actually. She and her team cheered for St. John's Prep and St. Charles girl’s basketball, which she also played for. All her teammates were her friends, but she had no best friends. “My family was my best friend” and with a big family like hers, there is no need to question it.

 Kathleen Lucero didn’t go to college, yet she still has a happy and successful career. This is because her family couldn’t afford it, like most at the time, and she needed to work to earn money. Also once she graduated high school at 18, she got married at 19 to her husband, Paul Lucero. If she had to chance to go to college she would have liked to be a teacher. Kathy says she enjoyed teaching others.

 Now, she works for her own printing business, Out Source Print Management Inc. It’s her 16^th year with her company that she started in 1995. She said “it was the only way to make money, work for yourself,” and it showed, with all her hard work and effort she has her own successful company.

 Although Kathy works, she still has time for hobbies and activities. She enjoys playing tennis. Kathy is on a pro team now, and started playing the sport 30 years ago. She never had any interest before she started. She and her husband just simply started playing. She went to nationals in Palm Spring, CA at a 4.0 level not long ago.

 Although being active is fun, Kathy also enjoys participating in the Woburn Historical Society. She is a co-founder and past president. Now she is a program director, but still puts in the same amount of time and effort. Kathy is also chairman of the veterans oral history project. She records veterans while they talk and usually has them at her house for an interview.

 Not only does she volunteer to do all that, but she also helps out at the food pantry every week.

 It’s no wonder on March 13, 2011 that the mayor and everyone else who wanted to be part of that special day presented her with the Citizenship Award. It was a surprise, and she was honored to receive it. In an interview Kathleen states, “I’m a leader, not a follower,” and you can certainly tell.

 Kathy spent years studying her Irish ancestry. This is how she is also a genealogist. She traced it back to the early 1800's where she found out that her ancestors came from Tipperary County and County Cork. Kathy has many hobbies that she does in her free time.

 In the decade 1960, Kathleen Lucero was just a teen. She remembers the music, the Beatles especially, John F. Kennedy becoming president, us landing on the moon, and race riots the most.

 She said she worked most of the time, but in her free time she hung out with friends. They were allowed to do anything, as long as they walked there. Some prices of things back then were: candy bar, 5 cents and Stranol Theatre, one dollar (about). Boys and girls hung out together and went to dances, just like now. Kathy went to Woburn High from 1996 to 1968 just for math and science, but was still required to wear a uniform. Her favorite thing to do was listen to the Beatles. She didn’t really have any hobbies back then because she always worked. Kathy had a good, fun, and memorable childhood.

 After reading this article I’m sure you know what a leader Kathleen is because she is an amazing woman who has achieved enough to last a lifetime, and keeps on going.

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