A lesser mortal would have been discouraged, hurt, infuriated or all of the above by the resistance and personal abuse Delilah René suffered last summer when she organized — and mostly funded — Port Orchard’s “Paint the Town” event.

Thankfully for the community, however, this is someone who doesn’t take no for an answer.

And if you’ve transited Bay Street in the past week or so, you no doubt noticed why we’re lucky to have her.

Using mostly their own money and elbow grease, Delilah and her 10 kids transformed the weed-choked embankment at the east end of downtown Port Orchard into a beautifully landscaped arrangement of cinder blocks and flowers.

What had been an eyesore is now an inviting showpiece for visitors just in time for last weekend’s Fathoms o’Fun Grand Parade.

But even more impressive than the results were her methods.

Did Delilah ask the city for assistance and wait around while a committee was formed to perform a feasibility study?

Nope.

Did she request a federal grant or stimulus money?

Uh-uh.

As people used to do before they started feeling so entitled, she simply rolled up her sleeves and got to work.

And Port Orchard is the better for it.

As a phenomenally successful radio personality, Delilah could live most anywhere she wanted. But it’s a credit to Port Orchard that she chose us to be her neighbors.

And as if that weren’t enough, instead of simply resting on her laurels, her boundless energy and enthusiasm has infused Port Orchard with more possibilities than it’s seen in decades.

Next time you see Delilah — and if you’re downtown, she’ll be there no doubt up to her elbows in her next civic improvement project — don’t forget to say thanks.