Monday, July 31, 2023 – Years of service celebrated at Good Shepherd

By admin

FROM THE ARCHIVES

MONDAY, JULY31, 2023

ISSUE#  1048

LONG TIME ISLANDER

GLADYS DIXON 

HONORED FOR HER

DEDICATION

TO

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

&

COLER

JUDITH BERDY

Gladys  Dixon arrived on Roosevelt Island in 1975 as a patient at Coler Hospital.  For most of those years Gladys has served as a patient advocate for the residents of Coler, even after she moved to her apartment here in 1988.   Today she was honored by Rev. Gerardo Ramirez and Warden Verna Fitzpatrick.  Gladys was presented with a commendation from the Rt. Rv. Matthew F. Heid, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York for her service to the Church and Coler.

photo Karen Hall

Judith Berdy, a member of the Coler Community Advisory and Chair of the Coler Auxiliary remembered first meeting Gladys in the early 1980’s.  Community members would join Rev. Oliver Chapin to do caroling every holiday season. Gladys, a resident there would escort us thru the wards to serenade the patients with our off-key songs.

Gladys was and always will be an advocate for Coler residents.  She had lead many a meeting and listened to plans from Administration. She always had thoughtful comments and was there to make sure the best was done for those who live and work at Coler.

Thru blackouts, hurricanes and the pandemic Gladys has lead the CAB. For years Gladys was the Chair of the Council of Community Boards ( 11 hospitals, 4 nursing homes and dozens of other facilities  part of NYC Health + Hospitals.).
Gladys exemplifies service to the entire Roosevelt Island Community.

Judith Berdy

TO FIND OUT ABOUT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT COLER, CONTACT JBIRD134@AOL.COM

Good Shepherd Church was the home of Reverend Oliver Chapin from 1965 to 1975. He then moved to the newly built 510 Main Street. Rev. Chapin was the Episcopal Chaplain at Coler from the 1960’s until his retirement about 1998.  Rev. Chapin and Gladys made a great team at Coler providing ministry and services to all there. 

When the Island was becoming a rresidential community Oliver Chapin became Episcopal pastor of Good Shepherd.

Rev. Chapin retired after years of service there and is commemorated with a plaque in the Chapel.

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FROM THE TRAM, AN ENLARGED ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER IS COMING!!! 

MONDAY DAY PHOTO

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WEEKEND PHOTO

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THE VIEW OF “DOUBLE TAKE” FROM THE ROOF OF THE SUBWAY STATION.
TO SEE MORE OF DIANA COOPER’S ART AND PHOTOGRAPHS CHECK OUT HER WEBSITE:
dianacooper.net 
 

Text by Judith Berdy
Thanks to Bobbie Slonevsky for her dedication to Blackwell’s Almanac and the RIHS
Thanks to Deborah Dorff for maintaining our website
Edited by Melanie Colter and Deborah Dorff

All image are copyrighted (c) Roosevelt Island Historical Society unless otherwise indicated

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Judith Berdy
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THIS PUBLICATION FUNDED BY DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER JULIE MENIN & ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDS.

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