AMHERST — Downtown Amherst in the early 1970s featured a Louis Foods supermarket, two Gaslight restaurants, two hardware stores, and two shoe stores, as well as a new site where senior citizens were welcome to congregate.
Even though many of the businesses from that era have closed, the Senior Center has remained at the heart of the community. And for the past 47 years, since 1978 at the Bangs Community Center and before that at the nearby Oddfellows Hall, Nancy Pagano has been there to serve countless elders, first as a social worker and program director, and then as director for the past 15 years.
That will change at the end of June when Pagano, 72, retires, a decision she says did not come easily because of her affection for the job and for senior citizens.
“I’m one of those people who have loved going to work every day, which has been true for my entire career,” Pagano said.
“I love the senior center,” Pagano added, explaining that was the case when she arrived on the first day and met the original senior center hostess. “I’ve loved the senior center since Ethel Moore greeted me at 17 Kellogg Ave., the Oddfellows Hall.”
Pagano began her tenure at a time when having a place dedicated to seniors was still a new idea.
“In a community that has always had so many young people, it felt remarkable that so much time and money was put toward a place for older people,” Pagano said.
The senior center opened just five years after Town Meeting formed the first Council on Aging, on the recommendation of Town Manager Allen Torrey – the first of six town managers she has worked under – and a push from senior activist Alice Dowd and her Golden Age Club.
The earliest days were focused on transportation for elders, including the Senior Surrey ride program, and financial management, with many elderly widows having never driven or handled their own money.
“The idea of recreation was something thought of as renewing you for more work,” Pagano said.
Even though the center was just a big room with bookcases on wheels separating spaces, Pagano said it was “a joyful place.” She recalls painting a shuffleboard on the floor, setting up concerts and classes and holding a monthly luncheon with a speaker.
In 1978, a move was made to the Bangs Community Center, which had a communal kitchen, more traditional bathrooms, and a lounge. By then, her fellow social worker and good friend Barbara Griffith had succeeded the first director, Wayne Ude.
Pagano edited the monthly newsletter and remembers using a mimeograph machine at Town Hall to print it and a keypunch at the middle school to create labels. The first time she ever used a computer was when making labels for this mailing.
One of the longest running programs at the center is the free Thanksgiving meal, which started in 1974 and has been held almost every year since.
“People knew they had security of a place to go for Thanksgiving,” she said. It represented her guiding philosophy of being a welcoming center.
Pagano became interim director in 2004 and was appointed to the permanent role by then-Town Manager Barry Del Castilho in 2006, succeeding John Clobridge. Her tasks included straightening out issues around the senior trust, which led to the Friends of the Senior Center being formed and recommending the creation of a tax work-off program.
Those who have spent time with Pagano cite her dedication to the welfare of senior citizens.
Council on Aging Chairwoman Rosemary Kofler said Pagano’s “heart and soul” have gone into making life better for elders and creating a senior center that is a vital community resource.
“She really cares deeply about people and listens to everybody,” Kofler said. “She is so much in tune with everything going on and is sensitive to the needs of elders.”
Kofler said Pagano has faced difficult challenges, including budget cuts, limited staff and insufficient space.
Sue Dierks, another member of the council, said Pagano has a “caring heart for each person who came through the door of the center,” whether it be a senior citizen, a volunteer, a teacher or a family member, adding that her “warmth and welcome” enveloped each person.
Jack Wollensak, who also serves on the council and is a regular volunteer, also praises Pagano.
“It’s going to be very difficult to replace Nancy,” Wollensak said. “She brings so many different talents, so much knowledge.”
Town Manager Paul Bockelman told the Town Council that Pagano has been a mainstay and may have set records in longevity.
“She has served the town for 47 years, the longest anyone has served the town is continuous full-time employment,” Bockelman said.
At a farewell party attended by more than 100 people, Pagano was presented with a plaque recognizing her service and the Friends of the Senior Center gave her an iPad.
Going forward, Pagano’s successor will have to deal with a burgeoning elder population, which will rise to 5,300, and continue to adapt to ensure that people can age in place, have food security through the meals program at the center and meals delivered to homes, and can get needed medical equipment from the convalescent loan closet.
“People are living longer and dementia and macular degeneration has become more obvious,” Pagano said.
Pagano said she always hoped her legacy would be a new senior center building featuring private counseling space, an exercise room and a social day program, but she also understands the town has many other needs, such as a new elementary school and a fire station for South Amherst.
“We just want a modern place like every other town now has,” Pagano said. “At least I planted the seed.”
In retirement, Pagano said she has plans to travel to Greece in September, hopes to go to Alaska and to one day become a grandmother. She will also have time to do more walking.
“I’m lucky to have low blood pressure, but I need to walk more,” Pagano said.
As an Amherst resident, and longtime Town Meeting member, Pagano said she hopes to remain a presence in some way, even as she is ready to pass the baton.
“Letting go is bringing tears to my eyes,” Pagano said. “But I know I have to let go and allow my successor to make her own decisions on things.”
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
