Five local women honored

At a New York State Women of Distinction ceremony on Oct. 15 at the Levittown Public Library, five of nine honorees hailed from Merrick.

Ilene Dixel, account executive for the Merrick and Bellmore Heralds, Dr. Beverly Adler, Margaret Mueller and Ildi O'Gorman, all of Merrick, were honored by State Assemblymen David McDonough, Republican from North Merrick, and Joseph Saladino, Republican from Massapequa.

Dixel has lived in North Merrick with her daughters Ashlee and Jessica for 10 years, where she has become an active member of the community.

"Kiwanis, the 'club with a heart,' quickly stole Ilene's heart," McDonough said of Dixel's long involvement with the community-service group. She was named the Merrick Kiwanis's Rookie of the Year in 2001, and became the first female president in the group's six-decade history. In 2004, she received the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center Fellowship and New York Kaiser Fellowship.

Dixel has also been involved with Calhoun High School and the Merrick Chamber of Commerce. Dixel served as president of Calhoun's Music Boosters Club for two years and was named an honorary lifetime member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. She has also been Kiwanis adviser to Calhoun's Key Club since 2001 and earned a Walter B. Weyant New York State Kiwanis Adviser Award in 2008. Dixel was recognized as the Merrick Chamber of Commerce's Woman of the Year in 2005.

Adler, affectionately referred to as "Dr. Bev," and the "Diabetes Diva" by some, is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in treating patients with diabetes. She runs a private practice in Baldwin where she helps patients adjust to living with a chronic illness. Adler is a member of the American Psychological Association, Nassau County Psychological Association, the Lions Clubs International Foundation and a professional member of the American Diabetes Association. In 2007, Adler served on the Board of Directors of the Lions Diabetes Education Center in Nassau County and was awarded the LillyforLife Achievement Award in the category of Professional Hero, presented by the Eli Lilly pharmaceutical company for her contributions to the diabetes community.

Mueller, co-owner of acclaimed R.S. Jones restaurant on Merrick Avenue in Merrick, has lived in the community for more than 30 years. Mueller is president of the Merrick Chamber of Commerce. She has been a member of the chamber since 1994 and served on the Board of Directors since 2003. She has also been a board member for the Women's Chamber of Commerce since 2003. And Mueller has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, and involved herself in local PTAs, little leagues, after-school organizations and local scholarship programs.

O'Gorman was recognized for her dedication to the PTA. She has held several executive positions at the elementary, middle and high school levels, served on numerous committees and represented Merrick on the middle and high school level on the District Council. In addition to her commitment to local schools as a volunteer, O'Gorman is often credited for her selfless actions on Sept. 11, 2001, when she drove her car behind a district school bus, making sure every child arrived home safely with a parent or caregiver to greet them.