New Milford school secretary embraces cancer as adventure rather than curse

NEW MILFORD -- Claudia Avery giggles when colleagues tease her about her rosy red cheeks.

"I call it my `steroid glow,' " the Sarah Noble Intermediate School secretary said as she sliced cake for her co-workers to celebrate the end of an eight-round chemotherapy regimen.

On a recent snowy morning, the boldly bald, pink-boa-clad 52-year-old was surrounded by teachers, paraeducators and some students eager to mark the milestone.

Avery, a married mother of two adult children, was diagnosed in September and had to have surgery. She said she refused to let her situation spoil her outlook on life. She is now in remission and will soon be part of a clinical trial at New Milford Hospital.

"She's been a beacon for us," said Avery's boss, Donald Naiman, a school assistant principal.

Throughout her treatment -- despite the hair loss, the exhaustion and other side effects -- Avery faithfully went to work, her bubbly personality undiminished by what was going on inside her body, Naiman said.

"There hasn't been a day when she didn't have a big smile on her face," Principal Les Weintraub said.

Naiman said Avery has shown that illness need not usurp the joy of everyday life. "She's our hero."

A few of Avery's Sarah Noble family wiped tears away as they talked about her.

"She is the most inspirational, caring and special person I've ever come across," fifth-grade teacher Susan Holland said.

"They say I'm their inspiration," Avery responded, "but they're my inspiration."

When people wonder where she gets her strength to cope, she answers, "It's God, it's family, it's friends."

Over cake and juice, her colleagues offered a toast to Avery's courage.

New Milford Relay For Life coordinators recently selected Avery to be their honorary chairwoman for this year's relay, scheduled for June 26 at Sarah Noble School.

"Her positive spirit is one we want to embody," said Kristen Hallecks, the 2010 co-chairwoman.

Avery's colleagues say they cannot imagine a better choice to speak to those whose lives are or will be touched by cancer.

Avery gave a brief talk at the kickoff Relay for Life event Jan. 23. She said she intends to "party hearty" with her Sarah Noble team at the all-night event, which is a premier fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

"She's absolutely amazing," said Barbara Hallecks, Kristen's mother, who is a cancer survivor and longtime Relay for Life organizer. She also works in the school district.

For Avery's final day of chemotherapy Wednesday, Holland and paraeducator Suanne Merlino made up pink-ribbon bell necklaces for the school staff to wear.

At New Milford Hospital, cancer patients ring a bell as they leave the center after their final treatment. Holland wanted staff to wear bells so Avery could hear "the bells of hope ringing in the halls of our school."

"She has taught us how to act when life throws you a curve ball," paraeducator Liz Santalesa said.

Contact Nanci Hutson

at nhutson@newstimes.com

or 860-354-2274.