[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 16 (Monday, January 29, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E88]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING LUCIEL BOLES-WILSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RITCHIE TORRES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 29, 2024

  Mr. TORRES of New York. Mr. Speaker, Luciel Boles-Wilson (Ponder) was 
born in the Boogie Down Bronx to Nelson and Estelle Ponder on August 
28, 1947. Growing up she loved math and upon graduating from Theodore 
Roosevelt High School in 1965 she went to work her first job as an 
assistant at MetLife Insurance New York. After a year of working there, 
she spent the next thirty years working as a project manager for Blue 
Cross Blue Shield. During that time, she experienced so many rich 
moments.
  She met her first husband, Russell M. Boles, Sr. and had two 
children, Bonita Ponder and Russell M. Boles, Jr. She would then get 
divorced, become a Grandmother and raise her first Grandchild, Walter 
J. Redden with the help of her second husband Austin Wilson. She would 
have many grandchildren, Russell Boles, Randolph Davis, Donovan Hines, 
Nia Boles, Russia Boles but because of special circumstances she raised 
her first grandchild as her own.
  She stopped working in 1996 due to complications with breast cancer. 
But she still has so much more love to share and give. So, she started 
a business from her Co-Op City apartment named Walter's Grandmother 
Daycare and After School Program where she would nurture the kids in 
her community. She even became the PTA president of middle school 181 
while her grandson was studying there.
  Once her grandson was secure enough on his own, she moved to Nereid 
Ave and quickly became a frequent visitor of the R.A.I.N. Nereid 
Center. Then soon she would frequent all the R.A.I.N Centers in the 
Bronx. She became an active member of United Christian Baptist Church 
and went to every event there ever was in the Bronx.
  So many people had so many kind words for Miss Luciel. Senator Bailey 
called her a mother figure and a light in the community. District 
Attorney Clark said that Luciel personified the Bronx with her 
community service. Speaker Heastie called her the heart and soul of the 
Bronx.
  I want to close by echoing the words of Borough President Vanessa 
Gibson, ``Luciel Boles-Wilson, the life of the party, a great friend, a 
wonderful Mother and Grandmother, someone you can always count on to 
cheer you up, make you smile and light up the room with her presence.''
  Let us keep the family in our hearts, and may she rest easy.

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