NORTHAMPTON — Whether filing reports in her office or flipping pancakes alongside volunteers, Patricia Shaughnessy’s role as director of the Northampton Senior Center has kept her busy for 15 years.
Shaughnessy, 64, will retire June 29 after nearly four decades as a city employee. Known for arriving early, lending an ear to those in need and visiting local seniors outside the center in hospitals and nursing homes, Shaughnessy said her position has been “so much more than a 9-to-5 job.”
“It’s been an overwhelmingly wonderful experience. It had its challenges, but that’s what life is all about,” Shaughnessy said Thursday. “It’s a happy-sad time. I’ll miss all of it, really.”
Before becoming the Senior Center director in 2001, Shaughnessy worked in the Northampton Registrar of Voters office for 23 years. Born and raised in Northampton, Shaughnessy said she never expected to stay in the city for her entire career. But looking back, she said, it feels like she made the right choice.
To begin her retirement, Shaughnessy will take a break from the hustle and bustle of her daily life, though it is in her nature to keep busy.
“First, I’m going to catch my breath and catch up on my own life. I’ll see what having free time is like, but I’m not going to be idle,” she said. “The routine of helping people is just part of my life. I’m sure I’ll find other avenues to do that.”
Shaughnessy said she looks forward to spending time with her grandchildren following her retirement. She has a 1-year-old grandson and is expecting another grandchild in October.
The Senior Center will hold a retirement celebration for Shaughnessy open to the public from 1 to 3 p.m. June 23. Those who would like to attend should contact Joanne Brooks, media and marketing coordinator at the Senior Center, by June 20. She may be reached by email at jbrooks@northamptonma.gov, and by phone at 413-587-1227.
Shaughnessy is known for spearheading the establishment of the Senior Center at 67 Conz Street in 2007, a bright, airy building where seniors can mingle, grab a coffee in the volunteer-run cafe and exercise in the fitness center.
As for her less tangible accomplishments, Shaughnessy said she is proud of her work matching seniors with the services they need and finding housing for homeless seniors.
“It’s those invisible services, the one-on-one home visits, housing, helping when there are issues with mail scams,” Shaughnessy said. “We are here for them.”
Mary Lastowski, 79, has worked closely with Shaughnessy as a volunteer at the senior center since 2007. She said she is sad to see Shaughnessy go, but does not blame her for being ready to retire.
“Patte has been the perfect person for this job,” Lastowski said. “We’re pretty close … I’m going to miss her.”
Lastowski said she and Shaughnessy work together on the center’s “mini-sale,” a repurposed kiosk from the Holyoke Mall where seniors can browse through donated items like yarn, soaps and even Barbie dolls. All money raised goes toward funding the center.
But Shaughnessy’s relationship with Lastowski goes beyond determining prices and managing the sale. When Lastowski’s husband died in 2012, Shaughnessy was there to support her.
“She was good to me when my husband passed,” Lastowski said. “Volunteering, I feel like I get back more than I give.”
Robert Montague, 78, chairman of the Northampton Council on Aging, said Shaughnessy has been a fair and firm person to work with, always bringing issues before the advisory board and listening to their ideas.
“She’s very popular around here,” Montague said, “It’s going to be difficult to replace her.”
Montague said Shaughnessy’s strong commitment to seniors is apparent every time she walks through the lobby. It is uncommon, he said, for the director to make it through the building without stopping to chat with a patron or two.
“She has the interest of the seniors at heart,” Montague said. “She talks to them. She listens, when they have a problem, she tries to solve it. Even when she can’t solve it, she doesn’t dismiss it. She understands.”
According to Heather Cahillane, 30, program coordinator and interim assistant director, Shaughnessy makes an effort to make the staff feel appreciated and included.
Shaughnessy is known to bring in a breakfast casserole to share on mornings when she knows the staff feels stretched thin from the duties of the week. When a new employee comes on board, Shaughnessy will hold a “welcome breakfast” for them.
“She cares about us, too,” Cahillane said. “She always has advice, whether its about deescalating a situation with a senior or helping the payment for an event go easier.”
No matter the task — fundraising, ordering supplies for the coffee shop, organizing holiday dinners — Shaughnessy did it all and kept her cool, Cahillane said.
“No matter what is going on, Patte is always calm, polite, she acts with such grace,” Cahillane explained. “She’s kind of old-fashioned, she has such a way about her. You don’t ever hear her speaking negatively.”