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Graettinger: Long-time commitment comes to end in Sun City

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Think about the things that you have done for the past 30 years, like staying happily married to the same person, or retiring from a job, or living in the same house.

For some, those historic occasions have lasted for 40, 50 and 60 years. They are monumental moments, because it is that longevity that puts an indelible mark on our life’s narration.

Now think about working for 30 years without pay. Not many of us are willing to do that. But there is one Sun City Posse member who achieved that goal and the Sun City Posse honored Jean Spence at its March general meeting for 30 uninterrupted years of volunteerism.

“She came in early and worked late and had thousands of donated hours to prove her commitment to the Posse,” said Vicki Foelsch, Posse executive officer.

Born in Racine, Wisconsin, she spent 21-years as a receptionist and telephone operator for a Wisconsin company. She was able to take an early retirement and in 1988 moved to Sun City. She served on patrol as well as handling other duties at the Posse.

In addition to her work with the Posse, she also donated her time at Banner Boswell Medical Center, 10401 W. Thunderbird Blvd. She was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and worked with Meals on Wheels for 20 years.

When Ms. Spence moved to Sun City, she embraced the sign that greeted people, “The City of Volunteers,” and made it part of her life’s work.

Also during the March general meeting there was yet another emotional “last call,” this one for Posse associates Robin Murphy. She joined the Posse in 2017, and truly made her mark.

From a personal note, it was Ms. Murphy who always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. She made me and everyone else feel that being at the Posse was a matter of friendship. During her last call, the dispatcher captured her very essence with, “She silently went through her shift making a difference with the people she touched.”

I, among hundreds of others at the Posse over the years, was blessed to be touched by a gentle, thoughtful and compassionate woman. She will be missed.

Editor’s Note: Diana Graettinger is Sun City Posse public information officer.