A lifelong resident of Elmira, Nancy Lucier is more than passingly familiar with the community and some of its residents. When the Woolwich Seniors’ Association was looking for a new coordinator, it seemed like an ideal fit.
In the position since October, she can often be found happily aiding in day-to-day functions from her office in the Woolwich Memorial Centre.
“She has really been fantastic for the group. I think part of that is because she does know Elmira,” said Yvonne Weppler, president of the Woolwich Seniors Association. “She does know the people. Living here all of her life, she just has a real connection with the seniors. I love to watch and see people come in. They are not shy, they will come up to the door pop their head in and say ‘hi.’ She has been wonderful for our group and she is extremely well prepared for anything we ask her. She is terrific.”
For her part, Lucier says such a vibrant seniors’ association has been fantastic to see in her own community.
“I really enjoy it – a really nice group of people, very welcoming. What’s kind of neat is I have come in and recognized lots of people that I knew from when I was younger, and it’s been really a nice transition that way,” she said. “One of the things that struck me right away was how well organized it was, what the participation was. So I really felt it was just nice that people have a place to come and share their friendships and a connection with other people in the community.”
Lucier says out of all of the groups and people she interacts with, it is tough to pick a favourite activity at the seniors’ association; however, one thing that pleases her to see is the intergenerational mingling they have with the Woolwich Youth Centre, which also calls the Woolwich Memorial Centre home.
“One of my favorite things actually is seeing the youth centre participation in the seniors’ association,” she said, explaining that the youth centre helps with their monthly dinners. “It is a really neat connection for people to have the young and the seniors of our community getting together. It’s been really good.”
Weppler and Lucier work hand in hand to smoothly administer and run different programs for the seniors, including fitness activities, card and billiard games, and dinners and luncheons.
“My job is just the background work, just making sure that there is somebody here doing memberships or answering the phone or just things like the calendar or types of support for what they are already doing or have already established out here as activities,” Lucier said of her position.
However having a great relationship among the administration helps with the daily functions.
“We have a good relationship, we have lots of giggles,” said Weppler. “We get along wonderfully.”
“That has been really enjoyable, that’s been really nice,” Lucier added.
