Fairhaven’s “Crosswalk Hero” Nancy Perry Is the Heartbeat of the Community

Today I'd like to honor a local woman who has been a staple in the SouthCoast community for over a decade.

In Fairhaven, two busy crosswalks have been in good hands thanks to one special woman. Nancy Perry, known affectionately as “Miss Perry” or “Miss Nancy,” is being celebrated as the town’s unofficial “Crosswalk Hero” after a Facebook post by local mom Joelyn Moniz drew a big response.

Moniz praised Perry’s dedication at the crosswalks near Elizabeth Hastings Middle School on Route 6 and the LeRoy L. Wood School, describing her as “the heart of our town” who treats every child as family. The post struck a chord, inspiring dozens of parents and neighbors to share their own gratitude.

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Parents Speak Out

Parents across Fairhaven echoed Moniz’s words, recalling years of peace of mind knowing Perry was on the job:

“She really is amazing! For years she has given me peace of mind as my middle schoolers need to cross Route 6 on their bikes. She is kind and thoughtful, even giving them little gifts at times.” – Vanessa Lagoa

“She’s the best AND she’s the Magic Lady! Ask any Wood School graduates about her magical ability to produce a straw for milk out of thin air!” – Kerri Alfonse-Botelho

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“Knowing she is there to help my son cross the street at the end of the day is the ONLY reason I feel safe letting him walk home!” – Jessica King

“She IS a hero! I’ve seen her in action for as long as I’ve lived on the Neck. More than once I stopped to give her a gift certificate just to thank her for keeping our children safe.” – Bob Konkel

More Than Just a Crossing Guard

When I met Perry at her post outside the Wood School, I handed her flowers as a small "thank you" from the community. She was overwhelmed by the recognition, fighting back tears.

“I just love the kids. They’re so innocent,” Perry said. “Even the middle school kids... some of them can be a little fresh, but I love them. I even have high school kids who still come to my corner just to see me.”

Perry has been on the corner for about 10 years, but her connection to Fairhaven schools goes back even further. Before sporting the bright yellow vest, she worked in the Wood School cafeteria, where kids came to know her as “Miss Nancy.” Outside of school, she is a longtime parishioner at St. Joseph’s and works as a hairdresser, which allows her the flexibility to keep her mornings and afternoons open for crosswalk duty.

A True Local Hero

For Perry, the work is about much more than stop signs and hand signals. It’s about forming bonds, offering comfort, and giving parents peace of mind.

“I'm so thankful for all the lovely messages I receive on Facebook,” she said. “It actually made me cry. And now this man (referring to Gazelle) is making me cry. I love the kids. As long as I’m healthy, I’ll keep doing it.”

In a world where small acts of kindness often go unnoticed, Nancy Perry shines as a reminder that heroes don’t always wear capes. Sometimes they wear high-visibility vests and carry stop signs.

Thank you for all that you do, Miss Perry. It clearly does not go unnoticed.