Senior Center Bids Farewell to Director After Nearly 3 Decades

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Charlie Breitrose

Retiring Senior Center Director Caryl Fox, right, received a proclamation from Governor's Councilor Marilyn Pettito Devaney.

Retiring Senior Center Director Caryl Fox, right, received a proclamation from Governor's Councilor Marilyn Pettito Devaney.

Charlie Breitrose

Retiring Senior Center Director Caryl Fox, right, received a proclamation from Governor’s Councilor Marilyn Pettito Devaney.

Caryl Fox treated Friday, March 6 as just another day at work, but it was her last as director of the Watertown Senior Center and her friends would not let it go without a small celebration. 

About 20 seniors who had been involved at the Senior Center and worked with Fox were joined by former Watertown Town Councilor and Governor’s Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney. She brought with her a proclamation from the Governor’s Council declaring March 6, 2016 as Caryl Fox Day in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Fox refused any interview, saying, “I just do my work.”

She thanked those who had turned out to wish her a happy retirement.

“Thank you for the proclamation,” Fox said. “I appreciate the opportunity to work for and with all of you, and the entire Watertown Community. I will miss many people. Now it is on to the next chapter”

Petitto Devaney commended Fox for doing so much with so little resources and staff.

“She was always helpful. Ask Caryl, and if she couldn’t do it Caryl would find someone who can,” Petitto Devaney said. “I’m sad to see you go.”

A crowd of well wishers came to say goodbye to Caryl Fox, who retired as director of the Senior Center on March 6.

Charlie Breitrose

A crowd of well wishers came to say goodbye to Caryl Fox, who retired as director of the Senior Center on March 6.

Fox was also honored by the Town Council on Feb. 23, when Councilors adopted a proclamation declaring March 4 as Caryl Fox Day in Watertown in honor of her 27 years working for the town. She was appointed to the position of Elder Affairs Advisor by Town Manager Rodney Irwin in 1989, then became Director of Senior Services in 1990.

One of her biggest accomplishments was helping to get the new senior center built on Marshall Street. It opened in 1994.

In addition to running the senior center, Fox also oversaw the running of the Watertown Food Pantry.

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