As Gerry Townsend goes down the list of her responsibilities at the Independence Township Senior Center, it’s hard to imagine the place without her.
It’s tough enough listing all her jobs.
‘I think the only thing I don’t do is drive the van,? she said with a laugh, in between answering the telephone, checking the schedule book and enjoying contact with people who walk by.
Townsend is the primary receptionist at the senior center, but she handles a lot of other duties. She started the euchre program, coordinates senior bowling at Cherry Hill Lanes, runs bingo on Thursday nights and acts as fill-in nutrition host.
One of the biggest passions, however, is maintaining all the flowers at the Clintonwood Park facility.
‘I love flowers,? she said, both at the senior center and at her home. ‘I have five acres and two acres of it is flowers.?
The 41-year Springfield Township resident will be 77 years old next month. She began work at the senior center 13 years ago, after being an employee of the Oakland-Livingston Human Services agency for four years.
Although she handles a lot of duties, that’s not the important thing in her mind.
‘I dearly love these seniors,? she said. ‘The main reason I stay here is because I love to see them. I just got to hug them. You wouldn’t believe what a hug means to them. I don’t do it for that reason; I do it because I want to do it.?
Townsend has gained a reputation of sorts, even at a place where senior energy is the norm.
? [Senior center director] Margaret [Bartos] says I have more pep than all of them put together,? Townsend said, but she’s not sure where that pep comes from. ‘I don’t know. I take vitamins. I’ve never smoked. I’m very fortunate as far as health goes.?
She’s known for her love of shoes and jewelry, wearing multiple rings on her fingers and sporting a collection of 300 pairs of earrings.
‘People have given me almost all of them,? she said.
As if the work at the senior center weren’t enough, Townsend is an active member of the Highland-Milford Eagles, having served in several local and district leadership positions. She enjoys coordinating euchre and bingo for groups such as the VFW, plays euchre three nights a week and dances every Saturday.
‘I love doing all these different things. It never gets boring,? she said, also noting the wide variety of friends ‘from age 30 to 100.?
Another important thing is family. Two grown sons live in Springfield Township and Waterford, respectively, and there are six grandchildren, one 15-month-old great-grandson, a sister in Florida and ‘nieces and nephews all over.?
‘I love my family,? she said, noting occasional family gatherings at which, ‘We have never had a fight. Not even an argument.?
She’s also an unabashed sports fan. One of her grandchildren is a hockey player.
‘I love baseball and hockey,? she said. ‘Hockey is my favorite.?
Townsend approaches life with a positive attitude which has little to do with wealth or belongings. When she was graduated from Detroit Denby High School in 1945, her parents gave her a used piano.
‘I was the happiest