Communicator
August 2008

4136 Barker Drive   ●   Elfers, Florida   ●   ( 727-847-1290

Kay Fusselman, the former director of CARES Elfers Center died on July 13, 2008. Kay had retired in March after serving Elfers for nine years. She began as program assistant in 1999, then was our manager for 3 years. Kay is greatly missed by everyone.

She is survived by her sister Jan who volunteers untiringly at Elfers several days a week. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Jan and her four daughters, especially Chris who has been a tower of strength and support to her mother, and to her Aunt Kay during her illness.

A memorial, or celebration of Kay’s life as the pastor described it, was held on July 16. The room at Dobies was filled with family, friends and CARES people and it really was a celebration as we all remembered Kay. Charles Sobel, CARES CFO, addressed the congregants, as did two young great-nephews, Dalton and Dillon. Also in attendance was Sandra Howard, past director of Elfers, and a great many class participants and volunteers. A reception was held afterwards at the Sunnybrook Club House.

Jan is grateful for all the support she has received and thanks everybody for their sympathy, kind thoughts and help. Special thanks are due to Chris’s daughter-in-law Pam.

THIRTY YEARS AGO ……..

August 14, 1978:  The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council approved Pasco County’s request for $191,309 in federal grant money to be used to convert a former public school, Elfers Elementary, into a one-stop multipurpose senior citizens’ center. Federal guidelines under the Older Americans Act require regional councils to give high priority to projects that restore old schools. The 62-year-old structure surrounded by stately oaks had been condemned in 1976 and was facing possible demolition but several public agencies campaigned to save the old building. The Elfers facility will serve as a gathering place for southwest Pasco’s growing elderly population, offering a ‘supermarket’ of services and recreational activities.

(from 1978 St Pete Times and Clearwater Sun articles)

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