Ten Outstanding Ohioans Joining Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2025

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Department of Aging (AGE) will induct 10 older Ohioans into the state's Senior Citizens Hall of Fame at a ceremony on September 10 in the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus.

The Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame honors older Ohioans who represent a positive image of aging and have significant accomplishments in their professions, vocations, and communities. More than 500 older Ohioans have been inducted since 1977.

The 10 members of this year's class - the largest class since 2021 - range in age from 61 to 103 and are being honored for decades of inspiring work in their communities. This year's class includes a social worker, advocate for long-term care residents, a community health champion, a volunteer firefighter, a guardian, a deacon, leaders at organizations in the aging field, a long-time public servant, and a doctor who is a social media sensation.

They reside across the state, from northwest near Toledo to the southeastern edge of the state near Marietta.

2025 Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame inductees:

• Connie Blum, 94, Dayton
• May Juan Chen, 78, Akron
• Joseph D. Fouss, 88, Whipple
• Mary Ann Freedman, 76, Akron
• Margaretha CJ Grootjes, 61, The Plains
• Ernest Matthew Hight Sr., posthumous, Youngstown
• Denise C. Niese, posthumous, Northwood
• Fran Ryan, 91, Columbus
• Jean E. Thompson, 75, Columbus
• Dr. Howard J. Tucker, 103, Cleveland Heights

"These 10 amazing inductees show the depth and breadth of what is possible from older Ohioans," said AGE Director Ursel J. McElroy. "All exemplary contributors to their field, they inspire us to continue our work to make Ohio the best place to age in the nation. They are all truly deserving of this honor, and we are greatly looking forward to recognizing them in September."

This year's Senior Citizens Hall of Fame will be live streamed through the Ohio Channel. The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. on September 10.

About AGE - The Ohio Department of Aging serves and advocates for the needs of Ohioans age 60 and older, as well as their families, caregivers and communities. Programs include home and community based long-term supports and services, as well as initiatives to promote health and wellness throughout the lifespan. Visit https://www.aging.ohio.gov.

Connie Blum, 94, Dayton

Connie Blum retired more than 30 years ago from a fulfilling career as a social worker. But even though she retired, she was just getting started.

Connie became a volunteer Certified Medicare Counselor shortly after retirement, helping more than 100 Medicare beneficiaries per year to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars as they navigate the challenges of understanding Medicare. Whether it's short phone calls or investing hours over weeks to assist others, Connie's support during her work with the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) knows no bounds.

During annual open enrollment, Connie still gives talks and presentations on Medicare updates to a variety of retiree groups while also counseling numerous individuals.

In 2021, she was named a "Community Gem" by the Dayton Daily News for her work with OSHIIP. In 2024, she was awarded the Mike Klug Outstanding SHIP Volunteer of the Year Award, which recognized her for her genuine care for people, expert knowledge of Medicare, ability to explain Medicare in plain language, patient listening skills, and more.

Connie has been helping older Ohioans for far longer than three decades, though. In 1978, she became the Director of Programs and Services for Older Adults at the Dayton Jewish Community Center. In that position, she established a daily lunch program for older adults as well as numerous social, educational, and recreational activities.

May Juan Chen, 78, Akron

Growing up in Hong Kong in the 1940s, May Juan Chen saw the challenges faced by Chinese refugees daily. On top of a need to establish a new life in an unfamiliar place, refugees often faced starvation, overcrowding, and poverty.

May was instilled with a strong sense of empathy at a young age by her parents and grandparents, whom she says are her role models.

"They lived lives of courage," May said. "After returning to China and Hong Kong, my parents sacrificed prestigious academic positions to bring their children to America where they valued the educational system here. From them I learned the importance of service, education and courage."

When May's family moved to the U.S. in the 1950s, she brought that spirit of empathy with her. While making a career as a licensed clinical counselor and marriage and family therapist, May saw a growing immigrant and refugee population from Southeast Asia.

She recognized that much of this community was having difficulty assimilating into American culture, and the support they were getting from local agencies or the government was not culturally or linguistically adapted to the community.

So, she did what her family had taught her: she made a difference.

May organized after-school programs to assist immigrant and refugee children with homework. She brought in specialists to discuss high-risk behaviors in a culturally sensitive way. She staged a health fair for the community with free sugar, cholesterol, and blood-pressure screenings.

In 1995, May and her health-fair collaborators founded Asian Services in Action (ASIA). The new organization worked on getting grant funding, identifying needs, and partnering with the Ohio Commission on Minority Health. Over the years, May built ASIA into a powerhouse.

Today, ASIA is the only 501(c)(3) Asian American and Pacific Islander organization focused on health and social services in Ohio. ASIA now has 80 full-time staff members and serves more than 58,000 community members.

Joseph D. Fouss, 88, Whipple

Over his nearly nine decades as part of a small community in southeastern Ohio, Joseph D. Fouss' help has come in many forms.

For more than 50 years, Joe has made his largest and most consistent impact working as a fireman for the Salem Township Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Squad. He joined the unit as a charter EMS member in 1974, and he remains part of their volunteer staff to this day.

He demonstrated commitment in those early years, and at various points in his tenure with the squad has been a board member, safety officer, assistant chief, lieutenant, and captain. He was named the Washington County Fireman of the Year in 2013.

As someone who believes in the power of staying active both physically and mentally, there's no reason to leave the squad at age 88.

Besides his work with the fire department, Joe contributes to his community in other ways. He has been a Salem Township trustee for more than two decades, a blood donor four times per year for four decades, and he has also coordinated blood drives between the fire department and the Marietta Memorial Hospital Blood Bank.

Joe was also given the Washington County Emergency Medical Service's Public Service award, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce Award, and the Ohio State Grange Non-Member Fireman of the Year Award, all in 2018.

Mary Ann Freedman, 74, Akron

The Hebrew phrase "tikkun olam" translates to "repairing the world." Rooted in Jewish teachings and traditions, it's a concept that encourages individuals to contribute to the greater good.

Throughout her remarkable career and in her work as a professional guardian, Mary Ann Freedman has consistently "repaired her world" by demonstrating compassion, leadership, and a deep-seated commitment to advocacy, making significant strides in community service.

In Summit County, Mary Ann has been a professional guardian, and she transformed the Summit County Volunteer Guardian Program into the non-profit organization Adult Guardianship Services (AGS) where she served as the founding Executive Director. As part of those organizations, Mary Ann has provided support for indigent wards - Ohioans who are under guardianship and do not have the ability to make decisions for themselves - ensuring they receive the care and protection they need.

In her roles, Mary Ann has recruited, trained, and managed volunteers and professional guardians, all of whom serve as third-party legal guardians for indigent wards who are under the jurisdiction of the Summit County Probate Court.

An important part of her advocacy includes working closely with caregivers and service providers to ensure that those under legal guardianship are well cared for and, just as importantly, are seen as individuals.

AGS is now the largest provider of free guardianship services in Summit County.

Margaretha CJ Grootjes, 61, The Plains

When Margaretha (Margarite) Grootjes moved into a nursing home nine years ago, she was considerably younger than most of her fellow residents. Attending a resident council meeting and noticing the absence of a president due to a medical issue, she suggested the council should have an interim president to voice resident concerns.

The council attendees immediately nominated her.

Margarite was elected president, and that began an ongoing journey of advocacy for not just her fellow residents, but also for nursing home residents at the national level. Her role as a resident advocate is always worth the effort.

In The Plains, she leads monthly council meetings where residents work toward common goals. She works with staff members to foster a collaborative environment to resolve everything from small issues like housekeeping to larger-scale goals of making sure all residents live their lives with agency and fulfillment.

Nationally, Margarite has represented nursing home residents through several organizations. She was elected to the leadership council at The Consumer Voice, which is responsible for developing the public policy and programmatic agenda of the organization. She also serves on the Consumer Advisory Council with The Consumer Voice, which comes together to discuss what residents are experiencing in long-term care and share advocacy strategies with each other.

Ernest Matthew Hight Sr., posthumous, Youngstown

A pillar of his Youngstown community for more than 70 years and a deacon at Third Baptist Church for nearly 60 years, Ernest Matthew Hight Sr. made a difference in the lives of his congregation and the children of the area that endures to this day.

After growing up in Kentucky, Ernest relocated to Youngstown in 1952 so he could take a job with U.S. Steel. Ernest's career then took him to Republic Steel, the Automobile Specialty Company. After that, he worked as a bailiff for Judge Nathaniel Jones before he retired.

Not content sitting still, though, Ernest took up work as a custodian at Cleveland Elementary School until he retired again at 75 years old.

His work with Third Baptist Church in Youngstown began in 1956, and he was ordained as a deacon in 1962. His guidance helped young people stay on the right path and become successful. He was also a member of the Mahoning and Shenango Valley Baptist Deacon's Association.

Ernest's connection to his community was strong through sports as well. A fixture at every North High School sporting event he could attend, Ernest's passion for his children's teams evolved into him being a booster for the entire athletic program starting in the late 1960s.

After North's closure, his younger children began attending East High School, and Ernest's passion for supporting his local team shifted to the Golden Bears and its booster club. Known as "everyone's sports father," Ernest rung his cowbell at East games for decades.

For his longtime devotion to the city, Ernest received a key to the city twice: once from Mayor Jay Williams and once from Mayor Tito Brown during "Ernest Hight Night" at East High School after his retirement.

He passed away on March 4, 2021, at the age of 90.

Denise C. Niese, posthumous, Northwood

Denise C. Niese made a career and a life out of serving older adults in Ohio.

Most recently the Executive Director of the Wood County Committee on Aging (WCCOA) in Bowling Green since 2005, Denise had an ability to inspire others as well as a determination to make a difference on a national, state, and local level.

During her life, she carried a deep and abiding passion for the well-being of older adults and family caregivers, and she was able to create programs and services that profoundly bettered the lives of older adults and their families.

Denise secured State of Ohio capital funding to build a production kitchen that serves over 1,000 congregate and home-delivered meals every day at eight senior centers in Wood County. She also got $1.6 million in funding to build the 36,000-square foot Wood County Senior Center, and later additional funding to renovate the basement in that facility.

Before her passing, Denise also helped open and operate the Wood County Adult Day Program in partnership with Memory Lane Services. Her leadership also helped WCCOA earn national accreditation from the National Council on Aging and the National Institutes of Senior.

In 2021, she was named a Trailblazer in Aging by the National Council on Aging, an award which recognizes individuals and organizations around the country that work toward a just and caring society that allows everyone to age with dignity, purpose and security. In 2018, the Ohio Association of Senior Citizens recognized her for the work she did to protect Ohio's most vulnerable persons.

She passed away on November 29, 2024, at the age of 63.

Fran Ryan, 91, Columbus

Fran Ryan has been a fixture in central Ohio for more than six decades, using her work as a public servant to create real change for the people of Columbus.

A two-time member of the Columbus City Council, Fran laid the foundation for the Mid-Ohio Food Bank during her time in city government. She then served as a Franklin County Commissioner and a City Clerk, and she was appointed Midwest Regional Representative to the U.S. Department of Labor by President Jimmy Carter.

She was also the first woman to chair the Franklin County Democratic Party, was elected to serve on the Democratic National Committee, and led the Franklin County Board of Elections for six years.

During her career, she was crucial to the creation of the Franklin County Metropolitan Human Services Commission, which establishing landlord-tenant rights and a public utilities review commission, implemented swimming pool safety programs, coordinated local service providers to form Operation Feed, and developed a program to detect and treat paint poisoning in Columbus.

Her devotion to public service has turned toward older Ohioans in recent years.

In 2007, she founded the Senior Services Roundtable (SSRT) at The Ohio State University, which connects older adults to quality services and supports throughout the region.
She was also instrumental in getting funding for "Villages" programs, which are aging-in-place membership groups that connect members with services, supports, and socialization to enhance their ability to live independently.

In early 2025, the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department opened a new community arts center in east Columbus, naming it the Fran Ryan Center to honor Fran for her decades of dedication to the city.

Jean E. Thompson, 75, Columbus

With her work in the assisted living sphere, Jean E. Thompson spent three decades demonstrating her dedication to older Ohioans and making sure more of them could receive the care they need.

Jean's commitment led her to postpone her retirement on three separate occasions. She retired from her position as the Executive Director of the Ohio Assisted Living Association (OALA) in 2022 after 30 years of work, but not before she made sure OALA could persist through the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, OALA helped providers understand new requirements and regulations, acting as an intermediary for them with state agencies. In that time, changes came quickly. What was once a weekly newsletter became a daily communication - and sometimes even twice a day. But Jean was always there to council providers and family members of assisted living residents.

Her contributions to aging Ohioans began well before the pandemic.

As OALA's founding executive director, Jean has impacted countless older Ohioans who have accessed care through the state's expansive system of assisted living facilities. She was a vocal and charismatic advocate for assisted living providers and the residents and families they served during a time of exponential growth in the industry.

Perhaps the most meaningful single expansion during her career was the creation of an Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver in July 2006. The waiver allows an important format of care to be available to more people, not just those who could privately afford it.

Dr. Howard J. Tucker, 103, Cleveland Heights

Even at 100 years old, the only thing that could keep Dr. Howard J. Tucker from coming to work was his hospital shutting down.

Certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest practicing doctor in 2021, Dr. Tucker inspires thousands of people across the world to continue pursuing their passions and is a staunch advocate for not letting age define you. If St. Vincent Charity Medical Center had not closed its doors in 2022, he would still be working with patients daily.

Now 103 years old, Dr. Tucker is a neurologist, a World War II and Korean War veteran, a lawyer, and a social media sensation who continues to not only serve his community, but who also helps erase the stigma against older individuals who still work.

Over the course of his career, he has worked as the Chief of Neurology for the Atlantic Fleet during the Korean War, as well as at Mount Sinai Hospital, University Hospitals, Hillcrest Hospital, and the Cleveland Clinic. Still passionate about the medical field in 2020, he frequently snuck out of his house at the height of the COVID pandemic to treat his patients.

Not content with just a medical degree, Dr. Tucker passed the Bar Examination at 67 years old so he could serve as a medical expert witness on various medical-legal cases.

His life inspired his grandson, Austin, to film and produce "What's Next?" starting in 2022. When Austin began sharing behind-the-scenes content of Dr. Tucker on social media, he quickly became a viral sensation.