HAMMOND | Volunteerism is a way of life for Hannah Cherry.

Cherry, 90, volunteers at St. Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers in Hammond and has more than 17 years of service.

And she loves every minute, Cherry says while sitting in the Pastoral Care office where she volunteers on Wednesdays and Fridays. On Mondays, the spry senior helps in the hospital's gift shop.

Cherry has lived on Cleveland Street since the early 1920s and says family and friends are her role models.

"Our neighbors were close like family," she said. "All of us were taught you just do something, regardless."

The petite lady is a spiritual care volunteer who brings the mail, cleans the kitchen and offices, packages the rosaries, and passes out inspirational books.

"One of the hospital's values is joyful service, and every time I see Hannah, I hear that value dancing in my head," said Josef Dou, director of Mission and Spiritual Care Services. "She always has that smile on her face, always radiating that peaceful, calming, compassionate presence -- not just for patients, but for all who come in contact with her. She is a blessing for us at St. Margaret Mercy."

Volunteer Peggy Ford said, "She really gave me a lot of inspiration when I was a patient in December 2006. No matter what the verdict was, she was very inspirational. She is a sweet lady. "

Tina Dent said her mother has more than 14,000 hospital volunteer hours.

"She is just a phenomenal woman, always trying to help someone else, and people recognize her wherever we go," said Dent, a member of the School Board.

Cherry, a 1936 Hammond High School graduate, is also active in legal, spiritual and social organizations and regularly attends School Board meetings with her daughter.

"She has been an accomplished icon and legend in the city of Hammond, raising a family, being involved in her children's education and wanting them to be successful," School Board President Anna Mamala said.

Cherry's yearbook picture will be placed on the walls of the school administration building, Mamala said.

Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. gave Cherry the Outstanding Citizen of the Year award for her volunteer services and community participation in 2003, Dent said.

"I graduated and have been getting involved in something with family, friends and the different organizations, such as the NAACP and whatever is going on in the city," Cherry said.