AGE: 72

Shirley Anne Allbutt.

OCCUPATION: Retired parole officer.

PROFILE: Allbutt is of the generation in which many women stepped out of traditional roles assigned them to become independent, self-directed people able to contribute to society in ways of their own choosing. In the 1970s, when her children became adults and left home, Allbutt was at a loss. What now? She started volunteering at the former St. Joseph's Hospital, which she continued for about 17 years. Allbutt then decided to take criminology at the University of Western Ontario. There, she met the late judge Maurice Genest, who inspired her to pursue a career. She graduated in 1987 and soon landed her dream job - a parole officer with the Correctional Service of Canada. During her years there, she helped many people improve their lives and get them on track. She's now retired. Her husband, Allan, the light of her life, recently died - but she continues to make a positive difference to the lives she touches. She's also considering taking a communications course at Western this fall.

MOTIVATION: Allbutt has always loved learning and put raising children before her dream of attending university. She volunteered at St. Joseph's to repay its employees who cared for her as a sick youth.

QUOTE: "When (my son) graduated from university, I said, 'It's time mother went.' Summer, spring, winter, fall - around the clock for five years, until I got (a degree)."

Compiled by Free Press reporter Jenni Dunning, with information from Mark Mercer.

E-MAIL: Jenni Dunning