Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2013 12:00 am | Updated: 8:19 am, Sun Jan 27, 2013.
Posted on January 27, 2013
The trio Joanne Tansey, Cathy Lambert and Saile Wilbur are set to embark on a new journey: retirement.
The Lower Bucks Family YMCA bid farewell to longtime staff members during a luncheon at the Fairless Hills branch on Friday.
The staff members have more than 60 years of employment combined at the YMCA.
The family atmosphere at the YMCA is something all three of the women said they will miss.
Joanne Tansey, 64, of Falls, has been with the YMCA the longest. She spent the past 26 years at the Fairless Hills location. She started as a part-time employee when her kids were in school, which grew into a full-time position.
“I will miss it here,” said Tansey.
She plans to return as a volunteer for special events and to remain part of the YMCA family.
“The Y is a great place to work because it is family oriented,” said Tansey. “The people who work here are caring.”
Coworker Kathy Hess of Middletown has worked under Tansey’s supervision for more than eight years.
“We have been together ever since and have grown very close,” said Hess. “She is a great boss and a good friend.
“I am going to miss her a lot,” she said. “She has always been very helpful and a good friend. She is like family.”
Hired by Tansey, Cathy Lambert, 64, of Falls, has been employed at the Fairless Hills location for the past 18 years.
Lambert will miss her coworkers and the members.
Through the years, Lambert has watched children grow into teens at the YMCA, and said the organization is like a family.
“Cathy always went to bat for families that needed financial aid,” said Eric Stark, CEO of the local organization.
When people couldn’t afford a program they needed and did not fit into the sliding scale, she found a way to get the families the aid they needed,” said Stark.
“She cares genuinely day in and day out for the people. A pleasure to work with and always pleasant and calm,” he said. “There is a gentle way about her.”
With two great-grandkids on the way, she is sure to keep busy, but hopes to find the time to travel to Florida.
Saile Wilbur, 68, of Southampton, is retiring after 17 years. She started at the Tri-hampton branch that is now in Newtown.
Although she spent most of her years as a front desk clerk, she taught youth art classes for about four years.
“The Y has the greatest members in the world,” she said.
She lives her life in sessions since that is how the programs are set up. Now that will change.
Now that she will be retired, Wilbur is planning on spending more time tutoring for VITA (Volunteer in Teaching Alternatives). She also plans to volunteer more at her church, Davisville Church in Southampton.
“Saile is passionate about our members and knows them all personally by name,” said Joan Sawyer of Bristol Township. “It is important to her, that she makes a difference in the lives of those who struggle.”
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