Two Lombard residents of many decades who devote much of their time to helping others, Bertha “Boots” O’Kane and Ray Thompson were honored with the village’s 2009 Senior of the Year award.

O’Kane has lived in Lombard for the last 62 years, 61 of which were spent with her husband before he passed away in December.

In her six decades in Lombard, O’Kane raised five daughters and was an active participant in the PTA while her children were Lombard students.

O’Kane volunteers at the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, which provides recreational activities for individuals of all ages with special needs and disabilities. O’Kane began helping there shortly after it opened in 1976 and continues to this day, having been an active volunteer for the last 28 years.

She has also been a member and volunteer at the Christ the King Church of Lombard for the last 50 years.

Being a shy person, O’Kane is still getting used to her new title.

“It was kind of scary (winning the award),” said O’Kane. “I’m not a very outgoing person.”

Thompson has been an active Lombard volunteer for a big part of his 99 years of life. He has held the position as secretary at the Lombard Men’s Club for 30 years and has been the volunteer choral director for the Senior Lilac Chorus for the past 27 years.

According to one of the nominations written for him, “Ray has been an asset to the Lombard Park District.” Some of Ray’s work has included finding and copying music, directing a chorus of more than 25 members, and securing engagements for performances.

Ray and his wife Dorothy moved to Lombard in 1971. They then moved to the Beacon Hill Retirement Community in Lombard in 1991, where he participates in all community events, such as hosting talent shows and the choir.

“They were really good years,” said Thompson, recalling all his years of active volunteering. He was quite surprised upon learning of his award.

The award, now in its fourth year, is given by the village in conjunction with the senior fair, where both O’Kane and Thompson served as greeters Oct. 7. The two were commended at a Village Board meeting this month, and will be honored in the Lilac Parade in May. The Seniors of the Year also received the Village President’s Award and a gift certificate to a local restaurant.