2007 Mother of the Year Barbara George (left) congratulates 2008 Mother of the Year Jeanne Boyd on May 1 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Elk Rapids.

"I'm still kind of in a fog," the Elk Rapids resident said after the win. "I don't believe it."

To fellow parishioners and friends who identify her as "everybody's mother," the May 1 announcement came as no surprise.

"Usually they pick a mother with a lot of children," the Elk Rapids resident explained. "My only son passed away."

Boyd lost her son Bill in 2000 and her husband, also named Bill, last July. She has been a member of Sacred Heart since 1990, but has spent time in Elk Rapids since the '70s. The Boyd family had a boat in Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor for 25 years before the finally resided in Elk Rapids. The harbor is where Boyd said she met some of her "adopted children" whose company she also enjoys.

"I kid about that a lot," Boyd said. "I've got lots of adopted sons and daughters."

Some include residents Babe and Wayne Toteff and Paul and Jamie Hresko. Boyd also considers some local children and teens her "adopted grandchildren," though she has two official grandchildren, Jonathan and Samantha Brown of Lansing.

Several guests attended Sacred Heart's 2008 Mother of the Year program, with participants selecting dishes from a massive potluck supper. They later sat at tables themed by members of the Parish Council Women. Prior to the announcement of the winner, a Younker's spring fashion show featuring local females in colorful attire and a raffle were also included in the event's activities.

"As you know, every year I cry and this year I'm going to try really, really hard not to," presenter Marjory Veliquette said as she began announcing Boyd as the winner. "This woman is one of the most generous and kind people I've met.

She has done many ministries at Sacred Heart, including being a member of our funeral choir, an administer of Holy CommunionÊ - both at mass and to the homebound. She's been part of PCW for two years and schedules all our mass ministries every month."

Boyd's response to the announcement concluded with "I love you all." A slide presentation compiled by Babe Toteff and created by Jenny Cullimore of Treasured Memories displayed a lifetime of photos of Boyd with husband Bill and her son and other family and friends. Boyd said she appreciated the video.

"I love it," Boyd said. "It was very hard to watch. I want to see it again, but they said don't you dare watch it by yourself. It brought back wonderful memories." Boyd said she plans to watch it again with her sister.

Babe Toteff collected letters and cards to present to Boyd after the program from Boyd's "adopted children and grandchildren," her sister and nieces and nephews from the Syracuse, N.Y. area.

Boyd said she was pleased and won't forget the experience.

"I feel humbled and very honored" Boyd said. "I feel fortunate to spend my retirement in such a wonderful community - not just the Sacred Heart community, but the entire community."

Megan Taylor can be reached for question or comment at mtaylor@michigannewspapers.com or by calling 231-264-9711.