Seated in a cozy armchair at centre stage in front of a large crowd last Wednesday afternoon (April 27), Sharon Birnie listened and laughed as politicians, a seniors housing developer and Langley Seniors Centre staff and clients heaped tributes upon her.
From her tenacity and inventiveness in securing funding for the centre, to her caring approach to the people who gather there, Birnie had what it took to lead the centre effectively for three decades, the speakers agreed.
“I can’t imagine, in today’s world, one person in one job and doing so much for 30 years. (Sharon) improved the quality of life for Langley’s seniors,” said Township Mayor Rick Green.
Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender complimented Birnie’s perseverance and inventiveness.
“She’s worked tirelessly for seniors and done it through all kinds of challenging times — specifically the fire. To watch Sharon and her team continue to find ways to meet the needs of the seniors was inspiring,” he said.
“She’s been tenacious, to say the least, and that’s a good thing,” Fassbender said, before handing her a large gift bag, which he joked “contains every e-mail you ever sent me.”
As Birnie and her husband settle into a new life in Edgewood, in B.C.’s Interior, Fassbender quipped that the City wouldn’t be sending a snowblower to clear her sidewalk this winter.
Janice McTaggert, a 15-year employee, thanked Birnie on behalf of the staff, for being a fair boss and fostering an atmosphere where creativity and out-of-the-box thinking were encouraged.
Marvyn Shore, a senior who has been involved with the centre for the past 20 years, called Birnie, “my idol and a tremendous inspiration.
“She had this marvelous dream and it became a refuge for so many people, and we are so thankful.”
Barb Stack, who worked with Birnie for 20 years and has now taken over as executive director, recalled her predecessor as a boss who wasn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and pitch in — whether washing dishes or scrubbing floors — when the need presented itself.
Birnie built strong relationships in the community and had a gift for articulating the needs of the society, Stack continued.
“Sharon’s passion and vision will always be with me as I lead the society into the future.”
Following her remarks, Stack announced the auditorium, rebuilt after fire ripped through the centre in 2008, has been renamed in Birnie’s honour — a tribute which left Birnie “gobsmacked.”
During the 30 years she spent at the centre, Birnie confessed, she was always more comfortable taking a low-key approach.
“Chairs on a stage are not my thing, believe me,” she laughed.
“I’m proud of my role in (the centre’s) development, but I’ve always known it’s a team effort,” she said.
After acknowledging the support of her family (including her husband and grandchildren seated in the front row) Birnie paid special tribute to Tom Douglas and Lyle Brock — both men were board members and pioneers in the Seniors Resource Centre’s history.
It was through the men’s faith in her that Birnie developed the qualities she needed to be an advocate for Langley’s seniors, she told the crowd.
“From those two men I learned the most important skills — respect, kindness, genuine caring and hard-nosed courage.”
