She’s known as Autumn Glen’s “unofficial resident ambassador,” humble, honest and empathetic and the 2024 winner of the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association Resident Spirit Award.

Lucie O’Brien, a resident at the senior living facility, Autumn Glen, for the last two years, said at the moment it was “overwhelming” and she was “shaking” as she accepted the award — not expecting to win, having not even known about the nomination until a little before the ceremony.

Autumn Glen Sales Manager Ann LaMere said, “It’s a pretty prestigious award.”

LaMere added how everyone was rooting for her to win given her humble and kind nature.

Having raised her kids in Dartmouth, moving here in 1966, O’Brien knows many community members and families in town and will have lunches with prospective residents she knows to help them get familiar with the facility and see if it meets their needs. 

“Lucie comes from a place of honesty when she has those conversations,” LaMere wrote for O’Brien’s nomination. “Her ability to ease the fear of such a big change for a person is inspiring. Her positivity and realness is something that I strive to emulate.

O’Brien highlighted how “wonderful” the people are at Autumn Glen and how they’ve become family.

“It’s a very nice place to be,” O’Brien said. “It’s a good home. If you have to give up your home, it’s about as good as it gets.”

Also nominated for awards from Autumn Glen were Erin Fowler, executive director, and Chris Flagg, culinary director.