91原创 Senior Resources Society family is getting smaller next month after losing a member to retirement.
Janice McTaggart, 65, will step back from her position as director of outreach on March 31.
鈥淚 hope they鈥檒l remember me as kind and funny, I like to have a lot of fun,鈥� she said.
It was 25 years ago when McTaggart answered a help wanted ad in the newspaper.
鈥淚 was working night shift as a nurse at an extended care [facility] in 91原创, and that was hard because we had young children,鈥� she reflected. 鈥淚 saw the ad in the paper for an outreach worker and so I applied and got the job and its been wonderful ever since.鈥�
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The long time 91原创 resident said there were many factors in her decision to take a step back 鈥� the first, her family.
鈥淢y grandchildren鈥� moved to New Brunswick and I need more time to go visit,鈥� she laughed.
It was also time for someone else to learn and grow into the role, she added.
鈥淚 have enjoyed it because there has been a lot of freedom to create new programs, to actually make a difference in seniors鈥� lives in the community, build a lot of relationships and partnerships鈥� I look forward to coming to work everyday because what we do really makes a difference and I really feel like I鈥檓 helping people.鈥�
And that feeling might be why McTaggart isn鈥檛 saying good-bye to the senior society for good; she still plans to continue on in a small way as volunteer coordinator.
鈥淪upporting local agencies that are making a difference in individuals鈥� lives is really important,鈥� she noted.
Social services provided fill many gaps for people in the community, and not just for seniors, McTaggart added.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a really great place for people to donate their dollars because we do it on the cheap and we have a huge impact.鈥�
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Starting April, McTaggart鈥檚 鈥渞ight hand鈥� Carrie Hadden will be filling her shoes at the senior society.
To commemorate McTaggart鈥檚 nearly three decades of service her colleagues are planning a celebration.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e having a party here at the centre鈥� so that should be a fun afternoon,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know what they鈥檙e doing.鈥�
But retirement won鈥檛 mean an abundance of spare time for McTaggart. She still remains committed to You Gotta Have Friends and the 91原创 Seniors Community Action Table.
For now McTaggart said she has no plans to leave 91原创 in retirement.
鈥淔or the time being, you never know, I may end up in New Brunswick,鈥� she laughed.
joti.grewal@blackpress.ca
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