Chatham’s Mary Williston was given her award as 2023 Chatham-Kent Senior of the Year yesterday during a presentation by Mayor Darrin Canniff and the Chatham-Kent Celebration of Older Adults committee co-chairs, Councillor Marjorie Crew and Clare Latimer.
“We wanted to say thank you to Mary and recognize her and all of the older adults in Chatham-Kent who do so much for our community,” said Mayor Canniff, in a media release.
Mary has been a community volunteer her entire life and continues to contribute to the community by devoting her time to several causes.
From her 50+ years in the Chatham LaSertoma Service Club, to her involvement over the years with the Wish Centre that provides programs, summer camps, and after school programs, Mary has had a strong love to help others in her community.
Mary is one of 16 adults aged 60+ honoured this year for achieving significant goals and making outstanding contributions as volunteers within Chatham-Kent.
More than 1,000 Chatham-Kent citizens have been honoured since the award presentations began in Blenheim 34 years ago.
Councillor Marjorie Crew, Chatham-Kent Celebration of Older Adults committee Co-Chair said all the honorees share an important trait.
“The many seniors who volunteer in Chatham-Kent, and in particular those we are honouring, view their status as a senior as an asset,” she said, in a press release.
“They know the value of experience and they know they have a lot to give. They look at what they do as an ongoing gift to their fellow citizens. Their attitude is amazing and it’s a real joy to watch what they can accomplish.”
Both Councillor Crew and Clare would like to thank all the members of the 2023 Chatham-Kent Celebration of Older Adults Committee; Kathryn Vanek, Elinor Mifflin, Victoria Stewart and Marie Bergsma.
Sincere appreciation is also afforded to the members of the Chatham-Kent Municipal Communication Team and Erik Shaw from YourTV, who provided the necessary virtual support for yesterday’s live broadcast.
These individuals all played an instrumental part in the recognition of deserving older adult volunteers in our community.
The committee is also looking forward to the 2023 Chatham-Kent Celebration of Older Adults Aging Well Conference taking place at Hidden Hills Golf and Country Club on October 12, 2023.
More details can be found, below:
Last year’s 2022 Chatham-Kent’s Senior of the Year Josephine Richardson of Chatham has also been recognized by the province as Ontario Senior of the Year 2023 for Chatham-Kent.
