Enthusiastic is one way to describe 78-year-old Mary Smithson.

An advocate for the hearing impaired, Ms. Smithson has been the president of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) Hamilton branch for three years and an active member for 12 years.

The CHHA is a non-profit organization led by hard of hearing and individuals who are deaf with varying degrees of hearing loss. It advocates the rights and needs of hard of hearing and persons who are deaf at the municipal level, in an effort to break down social barriers, create awareness and fully integrate hard of hearing and people who are deaf into the community.

"I'm hard of hearing, we have a son that's been hard of hearing since age seven and we didn't get any help in those years," said Ms. Smithson. "Being hard of hearing is difficult to accept. One of the greatest sources of help for hard of hearing people comes from sharing experiences with others who are similarly afflicted. Through CHHA, we are able to offer people that source of help."

CHHA Hamilton branch secretary and friend Jacquie Reid says Ms. Smithson has brought CHHA a multitude of ideas.

"She never stops thinking of CHHA or how to let the public know we are out there for them, to support and assist them in anyway we can," she said. "She has an amazing supply of energy that would challenge people half her age."

Ms. Smithson has also been a member of the City of Hamilton's Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities since 2002.

As a member of the committee, she is committed to raising community awareness of disabilities and identifying issues that will lead to the elimination of barriers for a person with disabilities.

Ms. Smithson participated in the discussions and initial implementation planning for the Ontario Disability Act. The City of Hamilton then devised, "Barrier Free Guidelines," which were derived from the ODA, in 2005.

As well, Ms. Smithson has been a volunteer at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church for years.

She fundraised for the building of the church, along with the parish's school and served on the parish council for many years.

She has been a coordinator and facilitator for marriage preparation courses for about 20 years and has been instrumental in the planning of the Diocesan Anniversary Mass every year.

Ms. Smithson, along with her husband, also received the Diocesan Medal of Honour in 2000. It is the highest civilian honour for the Hamilton Diocesan.

Ms. Smithson's other volunteer efforts include: fundraising for the United Way, Red Cross and Salvation Army; board member of the Stoney Creek Non-Profit Housing Society; editor for the Stoney Creek Quilter's Guild; advisory work for the building of the St. Joseph's Urgent Care hospital; friendly visitor for cancer treatment clients; adult literacy tutor; children's finger printing services for the Stoney Creek Community Policing Centre; treasurer of the Stoney Creek Club 60 Senior's Club; and most recently, a member of the Emergency Medical Services Committee for the City of Hamilton.

It's no wonder Ms. Smithson has been named the Hamilton Municipal Senior of the Year.

The honour is given to recognize and celebrate the outstanding voluntary contribution seniors make to enrich the social, cultural or civic life of the community.

"It's overwhelming," said Ms. Smithson, of winning the honour. "You do these things and you never feel that you're going to be recognized, I mean you didn't it do it for that intention."

Ms. Reid says Ms. Smithson is a tireless volunteer.

"I don't know how she does it," she said.

Ms. Smithson says how she does it is quite simple.

"One thing just seems to lead to another," she laughed.

Ms. Smithson says she's just always been in the community and enjoys giving back.

"My husband and I came to Stoney Creek when we were bride and groom - that was 57 years ago. I like being known in the community, that I'm approachable," she said. "But more importantly, I like knowing that I've helped someone in some way. There's no feeling better than that."