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Sherry Sabo Named Great Person
Sherry Sabo was passionate about her work.
During the nearly 30 years she spent at Counseling Services Inc., Sabo was a “tireless advocate” for the rights of the mentally ill and forged meaningful connections with staff and clients. Sabo, winner of the Courier Great Person award, left a lasting impression on the staff and clients who love and admire her.
And nearly a year after she retired as chief executive officer of CSI for medical reasons, she said she still misses the staff and clients who left a lasting impression on her.
Sabo, 59, of Scarborough, was nominated by members of the Common Connection Club in Biddeford, who wrote in a nomination letter that she “was a tireless advocate in Augusta for the rights of the mentally ill” and whose leadership “positively affected” many people.
Sabo started with CSI as an assistant clinical director just two weeks after giving birth to her first child and, since the mid-1990s, served as chief executive officer. A Cincinnati native who grew up in Ohio and Florida, she earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Georgia State University. She said her interest in people led her to the job.
“I don’t know if I so much chose it,” she said. “It kind of drew me.”
Sabo said she always enjoyed the work she did at CSI, largely because of the people she worked with. More importantly, “almost everything” about the job was rewarding.
“I loved our mission. I had a chance to really make a difference in people’s lives and people appreciated that,” she said. “The staff there is totally outstanding. We had a really good team of clients and staff.”
The clients who nominated her for the award said they admire Sabo’s willingness to advocate for the needs of mentally ill clients. During each legislative session, Sabo traveled to Augusta to talk to lawmakers about the needs of mentally ill Mainers – from competent access to medications to assistance setting up a household.
“Every legislative session I went to Augusta and spoke about what people with mental illness are dealing with and what they need. They have to hear it. I don’t think people understand their needs. If someone doesn’t talk with them about it, they don’t know,” she said. “It was important to do it as a team, so we went up with clients and staff. Everyone takes it on together.”
During her time at CSI, Sabo said she always advocated for the organization’s social clubs because of the important role they play in the lives of mentally ill clients. The clubs in Biddeford and Sanford allow people to make social connections and support each other, she said.
“I think the clubs are the biggest difference made in having a community and friendship available. I don’t think there’s anything out there better than that,” she said. “It’s a whole community that understands each other and cares for each other.”
Common Connection Club member and staff said Sabo was a constant presence at the facility, attending every party and event. The reason, Sabo said, was simple: “I wanted to be part of that community and there’s no other way than to go there.”
Club member Robin Watters said Sabo was known for bringing big platters of food and furniture to the club. During the holiday season, she made homemade pecan pies and brownies for members. She and her husband, David Maxwell, would join members for caroling around the piano she found for the club.
“If there was something we needed for the club, she’d go to bat for us,” Robin Watters said. “Whenever we had functions she always came and ate with us and joked around with us.”
While visiting the club, members said Sabo always took the time to listen to them talk about their lives. Sabo said she also tried to bring more fun into their lives by brining musical instruments and art supplies to the club.
“I think I helped them get a lot of things that would bring more pleasure into their lives,” she said. “I think it’s important because we all need that. I don’t know what life is without friendships and enjoying what we do.”
Jeannine Lepitre, who took over as CEO following Sabo’s retirement, said her predecessor is a “great friend and person” who was the “heart and soul of Counseling Services Inc.”
“She took us from rags to riches in so many ways,” she said. “She has such a gift.”
Lepitre said Sabo’s leadership during her time at CSI left a lasting impression on clients and staff, who looked to her for inspiration. The agency renamed its clinical offices in Biddeford for Sabo because of her contributions, she said.
Though Sabo continues to volunteer with CSI to build relationships with other organizations, Lepitre said her regular presence at the agency is missed by all.
“It’s like I’m missing half my mind and half my heart,” Lepitre said.
Common Connection Club members said they were excited to hear Sabo won the award and said they always considered her a “great person.” Norma Reyes of Biddeford said Sabo helped the club in any way she could and always came to the Christmas party to sing carols.
“She was a very, very nice person to help us out any time we needed help,” she said.
Club member Larry Watters said Sabo is a role model and down-to-earth person who never treated people with mental illness differently.
“She talked to us like we’re her equal. Sherry treated us like people,” he said.
Glori McDonald said she didn’t know Sabo as well as other club members, but will never forget how helpful she was when McDonald was struggling with being homeless and pregnant.
“She was nice to me when I needed someone to talk to,” she said.
Club member Carol Roberts has known Sabo since the 1980s. She said Sabo made sure the CSI social clubs in Biddeford and Sanford stayed open because they are important to members who go there for support.
“There’s nothing she hasn’t done for us,” Roberts said. “Every time we had an event she was here.”
Nearly a year after her retirement, Sabo is still missed at the Common Connection Club, according to staff members.
“You always knew Sherry’s heart was in the club,” said club supervisor Susan Simpson. “When Sherry said she was going to do something, she did it.”
Angela Tilson, who coordinates social clubs for CSI, said Sabo’s priority always seemed to be the clubs and advocating for the mentally ill. She said club members made Sabo a scrapbook of photos when she was nominated for a Heroes in the Fight award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Members said they always will remember Sabo’s dedication to the club and look forward to visits with her.
“She will never, ever be forgotten. She will always be in our hearts,” Robin Watters said. “Her spirit is in this club.”
By Gillian Graham, Courier Staff Writer
Reprinted with permission by the Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier.