Last week I had the privilege of attending one of those “unofficial” events at one of our Ys that clearly demonstrate the meaning and importance of the Y’s focus on building healthy, connected and inclusive communities.
June Peterson has been a Catonsville Y member for over 40 years. Which means that she didn’t join the Y until she was around 50 years old, as last week marked her 90th birthday! Janet Jarvis, long-time Y group exercise instructor, told me that “June regularly attends my Everfit senior class for one-hour workouts focusing on strength, core balance, and stretching. She then moves to the fitness floor, where she gets her cardio in on a bike. June motivates all of us to do better and try harder! In her ‘younger’ years, she was an avid cyclist, loading her bike and backpack on planes at BWI (then known as Friendship Airport), and traveling with her bike club all around the world. Even though June is only 5 feet in height, we all look up to her as she continues to inspire us.”
Eileen Lewis, a long-time Y associate at the Dancel Y in Ellicott City who retired several years ago, is now a committed Catonsville Y member and part of June’s regular “gang.” She was the one who graciously invited me to the big celebration. She provided a little more background on June, relaying that “she is a mother and a proud a grandmother of two. Her oldest granddaughter just graduated from Virginia Tech, and of course, June was there to cheer her on.” In case you haven’t picked up on this yet, June is a determined lady. She continues to drive to the Y on her own, so don’t for a minute think that she’s ready to sit at home all day!
June and the ladies of her “gang,” who all clearly adore her, accepted me as a temporary interloper in their group during their celebration. I found inspiration from all of them, and heard very clearly how much they love their Y, and treasure the friends they have found there. The past several years have been challenging for them, but thanks to vaccinations and a commitment to their health, not to mention sheer willpower, they are all back where they want to be – with each other, in community, at the Catonsville Y.
So, thank you June for inspiring all of us and showing us how to keep moving! Something tells me that there may be another big celebration in 10 years. I’ve marked it on my calendar in hopes that I’ll be invited back.
All the best,
John K. Hoey
President & CEO
The Y in Central Maryland
P.S. Thanks to the team at the Y in Catonsville who made this great event happen: Becky Defebo, Ryan Mechlinski, Cristina Hartka, Victor Wieciech and Janet Jarvis.