Maureen Chiasson Young Photo/submitted
By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Hudson – It has been an emotional and yet productive two years for family, friends and business colleagues of Maureen Chiasson Young of Hudson, who passed away unexpectedly in June 2014 at age 49. She’s remembered by many as a Marlborough-based real estate broker with a knack for networking and a passion for community service.
Her family, friends and former classmates will once again raise scholarship funds and awareness for suicide prevention with a 5K memorial walk, noted her sister Claudine McManus.
“We moved the walk this year from May to September because it’s National Suicide Awareness Month,” she explained. “Maureen had been sick for years, but people on the outside looking in would have never noticed because she was so full of life and such a fun person. You would have never known that inside she was that desperate.”
The second annual Maureen Chiasson Young Memorial Fund 5K Walk will be held on World Suicide Prevention Day, Saturday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m., beginning and ending at Morgan Bowl in Hudson. Returning as the event organizers with McManus are their sister Gayle Ripley, other family members, and Hudson High School (HHS) class of 1983 alumni Denise Gouveia, Jill Hovagimian and Carole Jones.
It was decided last year that funds raised would go to two scholarships for graduating HHS students who share Chiasson Young’s passion for community service. The first two $500 scholarships were presented to 2016 HHS alumni Megan Cadden and Hannah Pollan.
“We considered students who gave back by doing a lot of community service,” McManus said. “Even when Maureen was in high school Student Council, she was always giving back. Her heart was bigger than life and she stopped at nothing to help anyone in need. We’re hoping to be able to increase the number of scholarships next year.”
Chiasson Young regularly volunteered with charitable and civic organizations. Among them were Greater Marlborough Programs, Inc., an agency that helps people with developmental disabilities; the annual Jennifer Hunter Yates Sarcoma Foundation Walk, which also takes place at Morgan Bowl; and events of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce.
A $500 contribution from last year’s walk proceeds was also donated to the See A New Sun (SANS) Foundation, a suicide prevention organization that offers support groups for grieving family members. McManus became aware of SANS after her sister passed away and attended its support groups in Littleton. The event organizers are researching other suicide prevention organizations that will receive a donation from this year’s walk proceeds.
To further remember Chiasson Young, a tree with a plaque was planted in her memory at Wood Park.
McManus is grateful for the community support that contributed to the success of last year’s walk. She noted particular appreciation for Recreation Director Steven Santos, who is again handling the Morgan Bowl logistics.
“It was a good day to remember Maureen,” McManus said of the inaugural walk. “Hopefully, these awareness walks let people know that there’s help out there for suicide prevention. They just need to reach out and ask for it.”
According to the World Health Organization website, “Over 800,000 people die due to suicide every year.”
Following the walk, raffles and snacks will be available. Event organizers are currently requesting businesses to donate raffle items.
The walk entry fee is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students, and free for children age 6 and under. Register by Wednesday, Aug. 10, to receive a free T-shirt. Pre-register online at signmeup.com/115411. Onsite registration begins at 9 a.m. Those unable to walk who want to donate can send a check payable to MCYMF, P.O. Box 175, Hudson, MA. 01749. Raffle items such as gift cards can also be mailed. For more information about the memorial fund and walk, visit its Facebook page.
