Petaluman helps older adults thrive

Sue Miller has always been civilly-minded, but when she found the Village Network of Petaluma, the volunteer opportunity spoke to her on whole new level.

Miller was a fairly recent widow when she learned about the nonprofit that’s intended to empower adults over the age of 50, she said. She’d been functioning as the caregiver for Bob, her husband of 41 years, during his five-year battle to a rare, progressive neurological condition, and the opportunity struck a chord.

“I thought it was perfect for me at the perfect time,” the 75-year-old said, adding that her greatest challenge had come when she was providing care for someone she loved as she saw him decline.

The retired Pan American Airways worker was not used to sitting idle. In her nearly four decades in Petaluma, she’s volunteered at Valley Vista Elementary School and Loma Vista Immersion Academy while also contributing her efforts to Rebuilding Together Petaluma.

The Detroit native also sings, gardens, completes crossword puzzles and hikes, often at Helen Putnam Park, she said.

Miller joined the Village Network in late 2014 and as a volunteer, she’s tapped into some of her interests, starting a singing group, coordinating a walking group and co-facilitating a writing group as well as occasionally hosting and serving as a team member for producing potlucks and game nights.

The Village Network of Petaluma, founded in June 2014, is part of a national network of “neighbors helping neighbors,” with more than 140 communities across the U.S. The Petaluma village was the first in Sonoma County, and during the past two years, it’s been providing comprehensive information and referral services, systems navigation, transportation, friendly visits, as well as fraud prevention, according to its website.

Miller said she’s grateful to the founders of the network, which she said is addressing critical needs for an aging population with services such as providing drivers to help participants with tasks such as grocery shopping, doctor appointments, haircuts or events.

She especially likes the social connections through the hosted activities like a singing group, walkers, legacy writers, yoga, game night and discussion gatherings, as well as one-time lectures and programs and a well-stocked book exchange, she said.

“It’s nice to have success to balance the negativity, and self-care and helping others is rewarding,” she said.

Continuing to give back, Spanish-speaking Miller loves her work with elementary school students, especially translating the news for them, thrives doing yoga with the Cinnabar Cinnagals and revels in practicing “Opera Zumba” in the pool at the Cavanaugh Swim Center. She treasures friendship, keeps a positive attitude and says her only goals now are to stay grateful and stay active.

“The best time of life is now,” she said. “If you have decent health and feel secure, now is the best of times.”

(Contact Lynn Schnitzer at argus@arguscourier.com)