Marie Wallace and Bob Petricone

Wallace family with Father Tucker and Bob Petricone

Matt Pagano and family with Wisdom Sisters Rosemarie and Jo-Ann

Marie Wallace (center) with past recipients of the Wisdom Award

Marie Wallace, one of Litchfield's most dedicated volunteers, was one of the recipients of a Wisdom Award at the Wisdom House Retreat and Conference Center on Wednesday.

The annual award goes to two individuals who have demonstrated divine wisdom through their service to others. Matthew Pagano of Winsted was the other recipient.

Wallace was honored as a promoter of democracy and Pagano as a courier of compassion during a reception and dinner held by the Daughters of Wisdom.

Wallace has lived in Litchfield since 1955 and has been involved as a volunteer in numerous capacities. She has been on the Democratic Town Committee for more than 40 years, has held leadership positions with the League of Women Voters of Litchfield County since 1969, sat on the Planning and Zoning Commission for 10 years, and has been associated with the Women's Forum, the board of directors of the Connecticut Junior Republic, the Litchfield Aid of the Connecticut Junior Republic, the Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut, the Litchfield Historical Society, and the American Red Cross.

Her community service was recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2007 and the state in 2005.

Pagano is in private practice as a chiropractor in Winsted and has been a member of the American Chiropractic Association since 1996. He is a member of the Torrington Rotary Club, is co-chairman of the Tour of the Litchfield Hills, a bicycling event that raises money to assist cancer patients, and has been involved in fundraising for the Connecticut Children's Medical Center's hematology and oncology department.

Wisdom Awards have been given since 1999. Past recipients are: Eileen Burns and L. Cleveland Fuessenich, 2009; Joyce Briggs and the Rev. Robert F. Tucker, 2008; Roberta Lee August and F. Robert Petricone, 2007; Martha Bernstein and Alan Colavecchio, 2006; Antoinette Bosco and Kenneth Merz, 2005; the late Victoria Claman and Frank Vanoni, 2004; Margaret Andrulis and Brian McCormick, 2003; Mary Loyer and Marvin Maskovsky, 2002; Judith Hogan and the late Mitchell Van Winkle, 2001; Margaret Reventlow and Frank Weller, 2000; and the late Sonia P. Seherr-Thoss and Madeleine L'Engle in 1999.

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