"Poetry Lady," lyricist, Senior Buddy and avid crafter, Thelma Thurrell Steinberg passed away February 8, 2015, at the age of 87. She was born July 15, 1927, in Randolph, Mass., daughter of the late Ella Stanwood (Harlow) and Aubrey Chute Boutilier. She leaves her son Edward A. Steinberg (Patricia Keefe) and was the mother of the late Roberta Lee. She is survived also by her sister Doris Freitas, niece Laura (Michael) Busky and many other nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sisters Beatrice Whiting and Elinor Calef. Tiny and vivacious, Thelma was widely known for her infectious, upbeat spirit and can-do philosophy, no matter what life threw at her. Thelma grew up in Concord, worked the local fields as a teenager, and graduated from Concord High School. Her marriage to Robert Steinberg took her to Japan, Florida and Chicago, where she lived until the untimely death of her daughter. She moved with her son back to Concord in 1970, where she became a fixture for years at the local HoJo's counter, and later, at Village Cleaners in West Concord. Guided by her motto, "Perceive, Believe, Achieve," she wrote lyrics, lined up a composer, formed her own music company and was a proud member of ASCAP. She wrote and published a book of poetry, and was among a gathering of Concord authors invited to a reception of 125th anniversary of the Concord Public Library. Her poem "Theme of Thirteen," written for the bicentennial of the Great Seal of the United States, was accepted into the Library of Congress, displayed in the National Archives, and was acknowledged by President Reagan, Sen. Edward Kennedy and the governors of all 50 states, including then Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton. A Mayflower descendent, she particularly loved patriotic themes and everything Concord. A number of her patriotic marches, such as "The Spirit of Seventeen Seventy-Five," and "Concord, Mass.," have been played at the town's 1975 bicentennial events, Thoreau School and CCHS concerts, 51 Walden, and at the North Bridge Concert Series. Thelma participated in two intergenerational school programs – one with The Middlesex School, and another at the Thoreau school, where she was a beloved "senior buddy." She was active in Council on Aging activities, volunteering, reading poems and calling bingo at the Bedford VA hospital and local nursing homes, and participating in local senior talent shows and other activities. An avid crafter, she donated or sold many of her creations, including replicas of local historic buildings. She went to Italy in 2005, took a balloon ride for her 80th birthday, had astounding luck at the slot machines and found four-leaf clovers everywhere she went. Famous for her sunny outlook and sense of humor, Thelma knew everyone, was loved by many, and will be dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Minuteman Senior Services, 26 Crosby Drive, Bedford, MA 01730, or to Alzheimer research and support organizations such as the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, N.Y. 10001, or the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601. A celebration of her life will be held at the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, Concord Center on Saturday, February 28th from 2 to 5 pm.