Senior Citizen's Center assistant to retire
Jul. 26—Claremore Senior Citizen's Center Assistant Director Susan Craig is retiring.
Director Stacey Dowden said in her monthly newsletter that she would have never made it as director without Craig.
"Her years of experience and knowledge of what goes on here was priceless for me," Dowden said in the newsletter. "Susan is one of the kindest and most upstanding people I know. Susan will definitely be missed by all of us. To say I am sad that she is leaving is an understatement."
A reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. Aug. 12 — Craig's last day — at the Senior Center, 475 E. Blue Starr Drive.
"So, please try and come by during that time and wish Susan the best with her retirement," Dowden said.
Craig began working at the senior center in January 1990 as a van driver.
"I thought I knew Claremore pretty well as I had lived here since I was 6 years old, but I was given addresses to pick up seniors, and I had never heard of some of the streets," she said in the newsletter.
Throughout her 32 years at the center, Craig said she's seen many changes. Meals changed from only three days per week to every day and an average of 10 people grew to larger crowds.
She took the role of the Assistant Director in 1992.
"When I became assistant director I had to learn all the games that were played here," she said. "The seniors were my teachers and they were all so patient with me. I will forever be grateful."
Craig said she likes to tell people as the assistant director, she serves as the jack of all trades.
"I have filled in as van driver, dispatcher, cook, dishwasher, janitor, card player and domino player," she said. "It has been a fun job, but trying at times."
The center moved in 2015 to the new facility on Blue Starr Drive.
"It was a big adjustment from the old center, where it was one big room and everyone and everything was in plain sight at all times," she said. "This site sight is much nicer, but I do sometimes miss the old center."
She said she's had the privilege of working for great directors and with a wonderful staff.
"Stacey and Sharon both have been wonderful directors (bosses)," Craig said. "They both have such a love and respect for senior citizens and work very hard to make this center a success."
When her husband passed away in 2009, Craig said she will never forget how loving and compassionate everyone was to her and her family.
"I will forever be grateful for their support," she said.
Craig said the best part of her job has been getting to know all the seniors that have walked though the door.
"Some have become very dear friends and each one has touched my heart in so many ways," she said.
Craig said through the years many romances have started between seniors at the center.
"Several marriages have taken place from those romances," she said. "I met my own sweet husband here at the senior center!"
Dwight worked for Pelivan when they met and they dated several years before marrying in 2017, she said.
"We have so many plans for retirement!" she said. "We hope to make several trips across our great country and we would also like to visit Canada, and possibly take a cruise or two or several. We also have family we are hoping to spend more time with, watching grandchildren and great grandchildren in their sporting events."
Craig said she is looking forward to retirement and will have years of memories to look back on.
"To sum up my time at the center, I think of Ronnie Milsap's song, 'I wouldn't have missed it for the world,'" she said. "Thank you all for being a wonderful part of my life."
