Willey to retire as office on aging director
Says she will miss seniors, staff but is looking forward to traveling, family time
Judy Willey is retiring Feb. 28 from her post as the office on aging director, a position she has held the past nine years. Photo by JAIME ANTON
NORTH ROYALTON – After serving nine years as the director of the office on aging, Judy Willey is stepping down to enjoy retirement.
Her last day is Feb. 28, but seniors and staff are preparing a farewell party for her before she leaves.
“I will enjoy seeing all the seniors one more time, but I live in the community so I’m sure I’ll see many of the seniors out and about,” she said.
Though she had been with the city nine years, she has dedicated the better part of her life, more than 40 years, to social work. Fittingly enough, she began working with infants and progressed all the way to her beloved seniors.
“I love serving others. I started out serving children. I started a program for drug-addicted infants, the Medically Fragile Infant Program at Berea, which still exists to this day. We saved a lot of babies, they received the medical care they needed and were placed in foster care. I worked with the county child welfare foster care. I moved to serving adults, I served the mentally ill. I’m serving seniors and finishing up as such now that I am a senior,” Willey smiled.
She can’t pinpoint just one memory that stands out but has several she will take with her from her years at the senior center, memories of all the volunteers she has served alongside, the friendships forged with residents. Her late husband Don Willey served as Ward 3 councilman for 11 years before his passing in 2013. He often helped or attended many of the events and projects.
“All the many happy times we had together, enjoyable events, special moments, holiday parties and trips,” she said. “I’m going to miss the staff and the residents I worked with and all the various programs we have developed throughout the years for our community.”
She has especially enjoyed working to expand the North Royalton Kiwanis Food Bank, now known as the Royal Redeemer Food Pantry Partnership with Kiwanis and City of North Royalton, and the adopt-a-family program which provides Christmas presents for children in need through the generosity of giving residents, businesses, churches and service clubs.
Debra Burrows, outreach specialist for the center, said Willey took over the helm at a pivotal time in the economy and really helped the staff and seniors wade through those trying years.
“She came on a board at a time in our economy where her wealth of knowledge and expertise was beneficial to not only the staff, but the community as a whole. It’s been a pleasure working with her these past nine years. She’s going to be missed, and we wish her well on her retirement,” she said.
Mayor Bob Stefanik said Willey will be missed at the senior center, and her shoes will be tough to fill. A replacement has not been selected.
“She immediately brought a higher level of services to our senior center than we have ever had previously. Her passion and dedication to North Royalton seniors will be difficult to match. We are going to weigh our options and evaluate the department in the next couple of weeks,” he said.
So what will be Willey’s new focus in retirement?
“I enjoy traveling. It’s what I like to do. I’m looking forward to traveling and spending more time with my girls, Lisa and Denise. I’ll have more time to do that,” she shared.
She wishes the staff she leaves behind nothing but the best, but, of course, we haven’t seen the last of Willey.
“I wish Debbie (Burrows) and the transportation team the best as they continue to serve our residents. You’ll see me at various functions. I’ll still be around … when I’m not traveling,” she smiled.
Her last day is Feb. 28, but seniors and staff are preparing a farewell party for her before she leaves.
“I will enjoy seeing all the seniors one more time, but I live in the community so I’m sure I’ll see many of the seniors out and about,” she said.
Though she had been with the city nine years, she has dedicated the better part of her life, more than 40 years, to social work. Fittingly enough, she began working with infants and progressed all the way to her beloved seniors.
“I love serving others. I started out serving children. I started a program for drug-addicted infants, the Medically Fragile Infant Program at Berea, which still exists to this day. We saved a lot of babies, they received the medical care they needed and were placed in foster care. I worked with the county child welfare foster care. I moved to serving adults, I served the mentally ill. I’m serving seniors and finishing up as such now that I am a senior,” Willey smiled.
She can’t pinpoint just one memory that stands out but has several she will take with her from her years at the senior center, memories of all the volunteers she has served alongside, the friendships forged with residents. Her late husband Don Willey served as Ward 3 councilman for 11 years before his passing in 2013. He often helped or attended many of the events and projects.
“All the many happy times we had together, enjoyable events, special moments, holiday parties and trips,” she said. “I’m going to miss the staff and the residents I worked with and all the various programs we have developed throughout the years for our community.”
She has especially enjoyed working to expand the North Royalton Kiwanis Food Bank, now known as the Royal Redeemer Food Pantry Partnership with Kiwanis and City of North Royalton, and the adopt-a-family program which provides Christmas presents for children in need through the generosity of giving residents, businesses, churches and service clubs.
Debra Burrows, outreach specialist for the center, said Willey took over the helm at a pivotal time in the economy and really helped the staff and seniors wade through those trying years.
“She came on a board at a time in our economy where her wealth of knowledge and expertise was beneficial to not only the staff, but the community as a whole. It’s been a pleasure working with her these past nine years. She’s going to be missed, and we wish her well on her retirement,” she said.
Mayor Bob Stefanik said Willey will be missed at the senior center, and her shoes will be tough to fill. A replacement has not been selected.
“She immediately brought a higher level of services to our senior center than we have ever had previously. Her passion and dedication to North Royalton seniors will be difficult to match. We are going to weigh our options and evaluate the department in the next couple of weeks,” he said.
So what will be Willey’s new focus in retirement?
“I enjoy traveling. It’s what I like to do. I’m looking forward to traveling and spending more time with my girls, Lisa and Denise. I’ll have more time to do that,” she shared.
She wishes the staff she leaves behind nothing but the best, but, of course, we haven’t seen the last of Willey.
“I wish Debbie (Burrows) and the transportation team the best as they continue to serve our residents. You’ll see me at various functions. I’ll still be around … when I’m not traveling,” she smiled.