By Doug La Rocque
For 32 years, Penny Jones has dedicated her life to serving the seniors of Rensselaer County. Starting as a nutritionist at the Troy Senior Service Center, later as its Assistant Director, and in January of 2009, taking over as the Director of the Grafton Senior Center. On Monday, December 31, Penny put the key in the lock for the last time, but she is not riding off into the sunset just yet. She plans to spend some time doing a little traveling and housework that needs catching up on, as well as enjoying her grandchildren. After that, perhaps re-entering the workforce part-time, perhaps working food service in a local school district.
Speaking with The Eastwick Press, Penny says she “has a lot of great memories of all the seniors that have touched my life.” She says seniors have so much knowledge and learning to impart upon those who come into their lives. So much history, that they can talk about to you first hand, experiences and memories you cannot get from a book or picture. She is going to miss all her friends in Grafton, but perhaps not nearly as much as they will miss her.
Her chair will not sit empty very long, as Cindy Mattison of Hoosick Falls has been named the new joint director of both the Grafton and Hoosick Falls Senior Centers. Ms. Mattison tells The Eastwick Press, “I am excited to begin this new adventure, and look forward to working with the seniors in Rensselaer County.
On Friday, December 28, the Grafton Senior Center and the community as a whole gathered for an open house to say goodbye, and honor Penny with a number of gifts, including a handmade quilt and a proclamation commemorating all her years of service from the members of the Rensselaer County Legislature. Penny expressed her thanks in a poster she put up for all to see, which read, “I am very humbled by the outpouring of love from all of you. Thank you for making my job easy. I will miss all of you.”