Local people nominated for "Inspire posiive aging" award

Senior Services CEO Paula Houston presented the 2014 “Inspire Positive Aging Award” to McCoy Khammany Sengsi of West Seattle at the agency’s 2014 Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 31 at Northshore Senior Center in Bothell.

McCoy Khammany Sengsi, 64, is a liaison, community leader and mentor in Seattle's Laotian community.

King County is filled with older adults, whose lives inspire us about how to age with grace, enthusiasm, creativity, hope, and energy. They quietly make life better for others even as their years advance. Senior Services created the “Inspire Positive Aging Award” in 2006 to recognize such inspiring elders. Public nominations are solicited each year and the recipient is named by a committee of the Senior Services Board of Directors.

The other nominees for the 2014 “Inspire Positive Aging Award” include these local residents:

Eleanor Monroe, 81, Shoreline, was an elementary school teacher for 34 years in the Shoreline School District, working with dyslexic children. She served as a board member for Hamlin Robinson School, the International Dyslexia Association and the Slingerland Institute for Literacy. She mentored student teachers for 10 years at the University of Washington and then tutored students full-time until the end of 2011. She has also been involved in the English Speaking Union, the University Women’s Club, Helping Link, The Milk Fund and Alpha Delta Kappa. “Eleanor has graced the walls of our hearts with her zest for life, compassion for others, “can do” spirit and incredible wisdom,” wrote nominator Tu-ha P. Nguyen.

Phuoc Huu Nguyen, 82, Shoreline, works as a caretaker to help others achieve independent living. He takes great pride in his work, helping his clients maintain everyday activities such as exercising, grocery shopping, and filling out paperwork, and his cheerful attitude inspires his clients every day. He was nominated by Hau Lee.

Maggie Parker, 99, Kenmore, has volunteered at the Northshore Senior Center for more than 25 years and has also served on the Board of Directors. She currently volunteers at the reception desk Monday mornings and all day Saturdays, in the gift shop on Wednesday afternoons, oversees Bingo and other Saturday activities, schedules rentals, organizes the lending library, Saturday Pancake Breakfast. She coordinates and oversees the annual 2-1/2 day rummage sale. Nominator Jennifer Furch wrote, “I have learned so much from Maggie about how to age gracefully and how to live your entire life to the fullest by serving others and making a difference each day.”

Other nominees:

Julie Brannon, 60, President of United Blind of Seattle and the Vice President of Washington Council for the Blind. 

Jordan Cohen, 91, Ballard, volunteers at Seattle Children’s Hospital, where he entertains and cheers up the often critically ill children. 

Dale Hogle, 86, Magnolia, cared for her mother and sister while volunteering for Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Opera, and Magnolia Historical Society.

Randolph Hokanson, 98, Queen Anne, is a world renowned concert pianist and composer who still composes, records and performs regularly.

Tony Johnson, 76, is a driver for Metro Access who demonstrates patience and caring for his passengers. 

Mary Lorenz, 60, is a mobility instructor with the Orientation and Training Center (OTC) at Sight Connection, helping vision-impaired clients become more independent and mobile.

Sally Mericks, 67, Seattle, inspires those around her with her positive outlook on life in spite of ongoing medical challenges.

Joan Singler, 79, was active in the 60s civil rights movement and recently co-authored Seattle in Black and White, detailing the formation of CORE (Congress of Racial Equality.) 

Sheila Striegel, 80, Ballard, volunteers as an usher for Seattle Symphony and Book-It Repertory Theatre, and in many capacities with Westminster Presbyterian Church. She is active in organizing events for residents at Ballard Place.

Kathy Torgerson, 63, Issaquah, has been the volunteer Meals on Wheels Coordinator at the Issaquah Senior Center for nearly 30 years.

Marianne Welling, M.D., 62, is an optometrist at Sight Connection, where her dedication and deep affection for her patients inspires them every day.

The Annual Meeting program included a review of the agency in 2013 by Board Chair John Norden and the “State of the Agency” address by Paula Houston. Shannon M. Fuhrman of Regence BlueShield also presented Houston with a check for $100,000 to pilot the Senior Services Navigator Program which will provide community-based support for isolated older adults.

Senior Services is the most comprehensive non-profit agency serving older adults and their loved ones in Washington State. Established in 1967, they promote positive aging for thousands of seniors and their families each year through an integrated system of quality programs and senior centers.