YMCA Seniors Bid Adieu To Genny Flaisman
For the past dozen years or so, Genevieve “Genny” Flaisman has been one of the more active – and popular – participants in the Euclid Family YMCA’s aquatics programs for seniors. But now, at the young age 99, she’s had to face the rather sad task of saying good-bye to her many YMCA friends and prepare for a new phase of life in another state.
Genny recently relocated to Sugar Grove, Pa., where she’s now residing with her son Jack in a new chalet-style home equipped with an elevator and next to a hunting lodge that Jack originally built in 1966. The good news is that even when Jack is travelling on business, Genny won’t be far from family since her grandson, John Flaisman IV, and his wife, live in the lodge next door.
Not about to let Genny leave town without fanfare, more than 80 of her friends turned out in late July for a farewell picnic luncheon in her honor in the pavilion behind the YMCA. During and after the luncheon, organized by aquatics instructors Clare Vertocnik and Faye Roth, the guest of honor was engulfed with hugs and well-wishes. The large YMCA sign out front facing Babbitt Road said it all: We Love You Genevieve – Good Luck.
At the picnic, Genny didn’t hesitate when asked whether she’ll miss her friends at the Euclid Y. “Oh, I sure will,” she said. “In fact, I miss them already!”
Nonetheless, she doesn’t plan to let the move interrupt her aquatics activity, which in the past has often included participation in three different water classes in a single day. She’s asked friends to investigate aquatics programs at YMCAs and other facilities in the vicinity of Sugar Grove. “One of the ladies who looked into it has identified four different locations,” she revealed with a broad smile.
Moreover, she won’t be forgetting her friends in Euclid. In fact, she’s promised to return next Jan. 13, when she’ll again be the guest of honor -- at a party celebrating her 100th birthday!
For the past dozen years or so, Genevieve “Genny” Flaisman has been one of the more active – and popular – participants in the Euclid Family YMCA’s aquatics programs for seniors. But now, at the young age 99, she’s had to face the rather sad task of saying good-bye to her many YMCA friends and prepare for a new phase of life in another state.
Genny recently relocated to Sugar Grove, Pa., where she’s now residing with her son Jack in a new chalet-style home equipped with an elevator and next to a hunting lodge that Jack originally built in 1966. The good news is that even when Jack is travelling on business, Genny won’t be far from family since her grandson, John Flaisman IV, and his wife, live in the lodge next door.
Not about to let Genny leave town without fanfare, more than 80 of her friends turned out in late July for a farewell picnic luncheon in her honor in the pavilion behind the YMCA. During and after the luncheon, organized by aquatics instructors Clare Vertocnic and Faye Roth, the guest of honor was engulfed with hugs and well-wishes. The large YMCA sign out front facing Babbitt Road said it all: We Love You Genevieve – Good Luck.
At the picnic, Genny didn’t hesitate when asked whether she’ll miss her friends at the Euclid Y. “Oh, I sure will,” she said. “In fact, I miss them already!”
Nonetheless, she doesn’t plan to let the move interrupt her aquatics activity, which in the past has often included participation in three different water classes in a single day. She’s asked friends to investigate aquatics programs at YMCAs and other facilities in the vicinity of Sugar Grove. “One of the ladies who looked into it has identified four different locations,” she revealed with a broad smile.
Moreover, she won’t be forgetting her friends in Euclid. In fact, she’s promised to return next Jan. 13, when she’ll again be the guest of honor -- at a party celebrating her 100th birthday!