'The poster child for random acts of kindness'

ACUSHNET — One after another, they shared poignant stories of a selfless and compassionate woman:

"My 10-year-old son was diagnosed with a brain tumor in July and was left permanently blind. Melinda Tveit Fitzgerald spearheaded an effort for anyone and everyone to write him get well cards. He received well over 100 cards," wrote Allison Isherwood of Dartmouth.

Janice B. Maynard, of Westport, wrote: "When my husband was very ill, recovering from throat surgery and undergoing radiation treatment for cancer, Melinda Tveit Fitzgerald sent him a homemade card every day for months.

"After a while, he was stricken with other life-ending complications and was back in the nursing home. Melinda offered to come stay with us and take care of him, so that he could die at home."

"I worked with Melinda at Southcoast Hospitals Group," wrote Cheryl Langlais. "After I lost a twin pregnancy at five months, Melinda donated 40 hours of vacation time so that I could take that much extra time off."

For her kindness, caring and sacrifice, Melinda Tveit Fitzgerald has been named the 2010 Standard-Times Woman of the Year for Acushnet. Nominations came from the community and members of the newspaper staff; recipients were chosen by a newsroom committee.

In her case, a flood of nomination letters came in. Good thing, because Fitzgerald, 51, who works long hours as a private practice physical therapist and often donates her time, is reluctant to even begin talking about herself.

"I can't believe this. If people think I'm going out of my way, they're wrong. I barely do anything. This is embarrassing," she said.

Those who know her beg to differ.

"Melinda Tviet Fitzgerald is the poster child for random acts of kindness," wrote Liz Isherwood of Dartmouth, the grandmother of the boy left blind by a brain tumor. "If there was a definition for 'random acts of kindness,' it would be accompanied by Melinda's picture and a description of what she has done for so many."

Fitzgerald deflects the praise. "I make cards for people. It's nothing," she said. "I just like to see their reactions. It's no big deal."

For almost a decade, Fitzgerald helped orchestrate an annual "Polar Plunge" in memory of a friend and fellow therapist, Nancy Schonheinz, a victim of domestic violence.

She married her husband, Gregg Fitzgerald — who works in a group home with special needs adults — on the deck of the Ernestina, and is on the Committee to Save the Ernestina. She also has been instrumental in raising money for the Women's Center and other SouthCoast organizations.

Gently pressed, she offered a glimpse of what drives her.

"Both my parents passed away from cancer, along with my aunt. So I understand a little bit about what these families are going through. But I honestly don't do that much for people."

Not so, says Maureen Woolley, whose late husband was Brian Woolley, the environmental community activist. She calls Fitzgerald an "angel. ... When my husband was diagnosed with ALS, Melinda stood by our side and helped make him comfortable right up to the end. Once (it became) difficult for him to walk, she would come to the house" for physical therapy.

"When my oldest son got married, she and her friends came over to my house and remodeled our living room over that weekend. She wouldn't take anything in return. Seeing Brian's face was priceless," Woolley said.

Lauren Daley is a freelance writer. Contact her at ldaley33@gmail.com.