The Stoddard Award

Honoring extraordinary stewardship of the Marginal Way

In memory of Judith and Donald Stoddard—and in tribute to their family’s deep generosity—the Marginal Way Preservation Fund established the Annual Stoddard Award to honor individuals who have generously given their time, talent, and passion to preserve and enhance Ogunquit’s beloved Marginal Way.

Each year, this award recognizes those whose leadership, volunteerism, and vision have left a lasting impact on this treasured coastal path.

Stoddard Award Recipients

Paul Breen, 2022

The Marginal Way Preservation Fund was honored to present Paul Breen with the 2022 Stoddard Award in recognition of his many years of exceptional service and leadership to the Marginal Way. As an original member of the Marginal Way Preservation Fund, Paul retired in 2021 after more than a decade of passionate dedication to preserving and enhancing the Marginal Way.

His service spanned both the Preservation Fund and the Marginal Way Town Committee, where he played a pivotal role in:

• Growing the Fund’s endowment to over $1 million

• Leading numerous repair, restoration, and beautification projects along the path

• Securing grants to support long-term preservation efforts

Thanks to Paul’s extraordinary commitment, the Marginal Way has benefited immeasurably. We are honored to recognize him as the 2022 Stoddard Award recipient.

Reflection from Paul:

“My work in developing the Marginal Way Preservation Fund nonprofit has been driven by the loss of our daughter, Wendy, who passed away from Lupus in 1996. Following her passing, our family acquired the last bench on the Marginl Way in her memory.

I was deeply honored to receive the Stoddard Award, and I recognize that this achievement reflects the collective efforts of the Board, the Executive Directors, the generous donors who have supported us over the years, and the Town of Ogunquit.

The Marginal Way is a unique place, offering visitors the reflective qualities of both a church and a museum. It is a true treasure, one that must be preserved and maintained for future generations.”

Barbara O’Leary, 2023

It was the honor of the Marginal Way Preservation Fund to present Barbara O'Leary with the 2023 Annual Stoddard Award for her—and her late husband Richard’s—outstanding service and leadership in support of the Marginal Way and its preservation.

For more than a decade, Barbara has devoted her time, talent, and heart to the Fund, leaving an enduring mark on its mission and impact.

Her contributions include:

  • Supporting numerous preservation projects, including the renovation of the Lobster Point Lighthouse

  • Playing a key role in naming Serenity Point, the beloved plaque site along the Marginal Way

  • Creating a cherished tradition of generously hosting plaque dedication receptions, bringing donors, families, and the community together in meaningful celebration

  • Advancing the Fund’s mission through steadfast advocacy, generosity, and her professional expertise in public relations—guidance that has been instrumental in elevating the Fund’s visibility and voice within the community

The philanthropy of the Barbara and Richard O’Leary Foundation has left a profound imprint on the Marginal Way, ensuring its preservation for generations to come. We are proud to recognize Barbara O’Leary as the 2023 recipient of the Stoddard Award.

Helen Horn, 2024

The Fund was proud to announce Helen Horn as the 2024 recipient of the Stoddard Award. For over a decade, Helen served—and later led—the Marginal Way Committee, where her dedication and leadership left a lasting legacy. She helped ensure continuity by bringing in Joan Griswold as her successor and played a pivotal role in preserving the path during some of its most vulnerable moments.

In 2007, when the Mother’s Day Storm severely damaged the Marginal Way, it was Helen who stepped forward to lead a major fundraising effort to save and restore the beloved walkway. Her legendary knowledge of the seacoast’s native flora and fauna enriched every aspect of the Marginal Way, and much of what it is today stands upon the foundation she so thoughtfully laid.

Without Helen’s tireless efforts and unwavering commitment, the Marginal Way as we know it may not exist today. With deep appreciation and admiration, the Marginal Way Preservation Fund proudly honors Helen Horn.

Reflection from Helen: 

Inscribed in our seaside garden along the Marginal Way is a quote by conservationist John Muir—words that continue to guide our mission:

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in,

where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.”

The Marginal Way—recognized on the National Register of Historic Places and celebrated as one of the most iconic coastal footpaths in America—remains vulnerable to the extreme forces of nature and the footprints of thousands who visit each year.

Stretching 1.25 miles along 13.9 acres hugging the margin of the sea, the Marginal Way was gifted to the Town of Ogunquit by Josiah Chase in 1925. For a century, residents and visitors alike have held this sacred coastal treasure close to their hearts.

While the Town provides essential care, the Marginal Way has long relied on public donations and volunteer efforts to protect and preserve its fragile beauty.

At the Marginal Way Preservation Fund, we proudly embrace this responsibility under the banner: “Beauty Is Our Burden.”