A “woman of valor” was chosen to be the Nevada Senior Citizen of the Year 2014.

Raymonde Fiol, a 77 year old from Las Vegas, was selected as the Nevada Senior Citizen of the Year 2014 for her many years of selfless service in preserving the memory of the Holocaust, ensuring that the Holocaust Survivors receive the services they need, and teaching young people what harm prejudice and discrimination can cause.

According to Ms. Nora Kraidman, Director of Senior Services for the Jewish Family Service Agency: “Mrs. Raymonde Fiol is on a mission for what we call in Hebrew “Tikkun Olam” – Repairing the World.  Mrs. Raymonde Fiol has made it her life mission to preserve the memory of the Holocaust and to make sure Holocaust Survivors in our community and around the United States are provided with the services they need.”

Esther Finder, President, Generations of the Shoah – Nevada and member of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Education Relating to the Holocaust wrote: “Ray Fiol is what Jewish tradition calls a “woman of valor.” Despite her experiences as a hidden child orphaned by the Holocaust, her message is positive and optimistic. We are lucky to have her in our Las Vegas community.”

The Nevada Delegation of the National Silver Haired Congress (NSHC) in partnership with the Aging Services Directors Organization (ASDO) established the Nevada Senior Citizen of the Year Award last year. Frank Pati of Mesquite was then selected to be the first-ever Nevada Senior Citizen of the Year.

The annual award for 2014 will be presented at the ASDO Annual Luncheon in May which is Older Americans Month.