Press Release  Recently retired Waltham District Probation Officer Deborah Stead will be remembered for her acts of kindness

Waltham, MA — Deborah Stead, a Waltham District Court Probation Officer, retired recently after more than three decades as an employee of the Massachusetts Probation Service. Stead’s Chief Probation Officer Candace Vardaxis and fellow employees recognized her contributions to the court and the community at a May 21 luncheon held in the Probation Department.

Stead was known as the “resident OUI expert” at Waltham District Court, according to Vardaxis. The 33-year Probation Officer also served as a Cultural Appreciation Champion.

“Debbie always made everyone in the office laugh and was one of a kind. She was always giving open and honest advice to individuals that she supervised. Over the years, I also witnessed her many acts of kindness that she showed toward her probationers. For example, one time when I was on a home visit with her, we came to realize that the person we were visiting did not have any food to eat. PO Stead returned back to see that person with some warm food for dinner. Other times she provided warm clothes for those in need. She will be missed by all her co-workers at the Waltham District Court,” Vardaxis said.

Stead, who grew up in Cambridge, volunteered each year at the Cambridge Community Center where she helped prepare and serve senior citizens a Thanksgiving meal. She participated in this effort for more than 20 years.

Commenting on her work with Probation, Stead said, “The journey of being a Probation Officer has had its ups and downs and has been an adventure just like life. However, for myself, I have faith in God and therefore, I was able to complete my journey. I always found it rewarding when my past probationers came back and thanked me for encouraging them through difficult times in life. It gives me a sense of pride that I was able to help people move forward in their lives overcome addictions and became a productive member of society.”

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