School secretary keeps up her spirit during cancer fight

Claudia Avery calls her rosy red cheeks her "steroid glow."

The Sarah Noble Intermediate School secretary was diagnosed with cancer in September and had to have surgery.

On a recent snowy morning, she celebrated completing her eighth-round of chemotherapy regimen, surrounded by her co-workers and some students at the school.

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

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

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

Mrs. Avery has shown illness need not usurp the joy of everyday life, Mr. Naiman said.

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

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

Mrs. Avery gave a brief talk Jan. 23 at the Relay For Life kickoff event.

She said she intends to "party hearty" with her Sarah Noble team at the all-night event, which is a prime national fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.