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The following "Northshore
Citizen" column appeared in the
At
groundbreaking for the $6 million Health and Wellness addition
'Our Lady of the Seniors' When I first learned that Marianne LoGerfo planned to retire after 22 years with the Northshore Senior Center as its executive director, it was clear that her career and presence in our community would be the subject of my next “Northshore Citizen”. How to start a tribute came to mind easily and quickly: “In the 43 years I have lived here and been involved in a wide variety of community projects and activities, I can think of no other person than Marianne LoGerfo who has been such a positive force in the lives of so many citizens of the communities of Bothell, Kenmore and Woodinville.” That’s a mouthful, but it’s true in every respect. Her leadership qualities, her pleasing personality, her energy, her wit and her keen sense of caring for seniors are hallmarks of her years building a program virtually from scratch. At our Woodinville Rotary Club auction in early October, I informed the 300 community supporters in attendance that Marianne was stepping down after making such a huge impact on the lives of so many of us. We raised $20,000 for the hard-pressed health and wellness van transportation budget at the center – a real tribute to Marianne by an appreciative audience. (I neglected to mention the club selected Marianne as its Citizen of the Year in 2000.) There was wide agreement at the event with my suggestion that Marianne had built the finest senior services program in the United States. Others will cite amazing statistics and detail her many accomplishment at the Center and as an innovator of senior services programs throughout the region. She’ll receive countless well-deserved accolades at a retirement reception in December. I’ve asked a few of her close acquaintances to share theirs. What others will say...
Retired Army “Colonel Bob” Matthews of Bothell is a
long time member and supporter of the Northshore Senior Center and
observed: “Marianne LoGerfo is perhaps the most effective leader I have known. Pat Olsen prepared well for her role as a leader at the center’s health and wellness program, having graduated from the nursing program at University of Washington-Bothell. Her on-the-scene observance: “Working with Marianne LoGerfo has been an incredible opportunity for me to see a real maven at work. She’s the glue of the organization, the gentle, guiding spirit that keeps us all connected. “Her vision and realization of that vision has linked seniors and disabled folks with services, skills, staff, education, health and fun in the local Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville and Mill Creek communities. Her influence is deep and wide as she’s able to bridge gaps, linking every person who calls themselves a part of the Northshore community with resources ranging from meals and dancing to research opportunities and public policy. We’ll miss her presence in our everyday lives, but will continue to see her vision realized when she’s gone. We’ve been inspired by her to do just that!” Speaking for Evergreen Public Hospital District and the enduring partnership Marianne fostered on behalf of her Northshore Senior Services program, Ben Lindekugel noted that Northshore’s “is without question one of the most robust centers in the United States and most of that is a result of Marianne’s vision and her ability to put the vision into action. Evergreen Hospital—and the entire community—are indebted to Marianne and will miss her very, very much.” Here, Ben, summarizes for us one of Marianne’s most endearing leadership qualities: “Marianne LoGerfo is a very nice person—considerate, caring, supportive, nurturing… But, try to compliment her and she will immediately deflect the compliment, noting all the other people who are just as considerate and caring and deserving of the compliment. And perhaps she is right: There are a lot of nice people. The difference is that Marianne puts her niceness into action. First she develops a network of relationships—co-conspirators, if you will. Then she engages the group with a vision of a better community and possible strategies for making it happen. In a flash, the group is enrolled in the vision and, indeed, believes it was their idea.” Long-time Bothell activist and legislator Jeanne Edwards (herself featured in a recent issue of the Reporter) had this to add: Marianne has “given lovingly, cheerfully and patiently to so many ventures in our community. She’s brought fun, laughter and life to so many seniors. She’s brought health care and advocacy to those most in need of it. Marianne helped us sing, made us dance and has seen that life-long learning was included in those darn computers.” Edwards, retiring as state representative, admitted that “mere words cannot express my thanks and gratitude for the many gifts Marianne has given to our greater community.”
When December 10 rolls around, the community will have a chance to express its appreciation for “Our Lady of the Seniors” when the senior center hosts a much-deserved reception for Marianne. If everyone attending is given the opportunity to add a word or two of praise, it’ll be a very long afternoon or evening.
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The Previous Columns
October
6, 2004 Sept.
1, 2004 August
18, 2004 August
4, 2004 July
21, 2004 July
7, 2004 |
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John
B. Hughes |
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Hughes
serves
as grand marshal |
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Hugo
and (425) 482-4076 |
Return to Page One of your "Greater Grace Daily OnLine Gazette"
