Theresa Rogers (center) received the 2025 Herbert C. Pace, Jr. Council on Aging Good Citizen Award at a senior volunteer appreciation luncheon on May 15. Rogers is flanked on the left by Lisa Anderson, Council on Aging director, and Paula LeBlanc, chair of the Council on Aging Board of Directors, who presented her with the award.
Reminder Publishing photo by Mike Lydick
SOUTHWICK — A long-time Southwick Senior Center volunteer was recently honored with an annual award created to recognize Southwick seniors who are active at the center.
Theresa Rogers, who joined the Senior Center in 2014, received the 2025 Herbert C. Pace, Jr. Council on Aging Good Citizen Award. The award is presented each spring by the Southwick Council on Aging Board of Directors. It’s awarded to individuals over 65 who are active in COA activities and events and who also have enhanced the lives of Southwick’s senior citizens.
Rogers, who moved to Southwick with her husband 12 years ago, was surprised with the award at a May 15 appreciation luncheon at Tucker’s Restaurant for Senior Center volunteers. “I was shocked. I never expected to receive such an award,” she said. The award was presented by COA Director Lisa Anderson and COA Board of Directors Chair Paula LeBlanc.
LeBlanc said Rogers has not only served on the COA board for several years, but she also volunteers in the kitchen and dining room at the center. “Theresa works in the kitchen and helps serve lunches,” said LeBlanc. “She also volunteers for wherever else she is needed at many senior functions.”
The COA created the award in 2018 to honor Pace, who was its first recipient. A 61-year Southwick resident, he served on the COA Board for many years, including as its chair.
Pace, who died in 2019 at age 97, helped to establish the Southwick Senior Center. The center is located in the lower level of the former Consolidated Elementary School where he was the principal for many years, after serving as a guidance counselor at the town’s original high school. Many of the town’s offices are also located in the former school building.
“This award means a lot me because it shows that COA members see everything that volunteers like me do,” said Rogers. The 89-year-old said she attends Senior Center events as often as she can and does what she can to help other seniors.
“I met Herb Pace at the Senior Center years ago, and I think he would be proud of all the award recipients so far,” said Rogers. Previous recipients include Joyce Bannish, Roy Benson, Alan Garde and Harvey Hollm.
Rogers volunteers between 15 and 20 hours each week. “I love the dining room work because the seniors talk about life and what they did over the weekend. We also get along with the staff and laugh a lot, Rogers is retired from Moltenbrey’s Market in Huntington where she worked for 30 years.
“My husband and kids were thrilled that I received the award,” Rogers said. “They think it was well deserved.”
