May 8th, 2024

Jennifer Korbel, Executive Director, Buckham West

This newsletter will hit a little different. It’s an invitation and also a request but we will get to those in a bit.

It’s May, a month I normally look forward to. However, this time, as May comes to an end, things at Buckham West will be a little different. A kind, smiling, story-telling fixture will be starting a new chapter in her life. Program Coordinator, Brenda Johnson, will be retiring.

To know Brenda is to love her and so many know her. Her tenure at Buckham West began August of 1999. I don’t think Anne Pleskonko, then Director, knew that she would be hiring a talent that would be an essential part of making Buckham West what it is today, nearly 25 years later. Brenda has been an impeccable collaborator with past colleagues that has facilitated the creation of so many valuable programs we have seen in the past and today.

Upon her arrival at Buckham West, Brenda brought 23 years of nursing experience serving the community of Faribault working at then St. Lucas and Faribault Manor. As a result of this experience, she was able to strengthen the relationships between the healthcare organizations in the community and the Senior Center bringing valuable programming and resources essential to the people we serve. Her natural talent in this area made her the perfect choice for Senior Resource Council Chairperson where she was able to be an integral part of developing this mission. Her intuitive and creative nature, helped her recognize the needs of our patrons and made the center a resource hub along with bringing fun, thoughtful programming to fruition.

I have known Brenda for six short months but realize I have made a life-long friend (if she’ll take me). Indulge me a moment and let me share some things I have learned and admire about Brenda that many of you already know.
Brenda is an expressive story-teller. If you know her, you look forward to an amusing anecdote here and there. It is no surprise she leads the writing group with various prompts each month encouraging people to share and document their own experiences.
Brenda has a silly side. I love these moments. If you need a laughing fix, look no further, as Brenda will, without a doubt, have a joke up her sleeve. I’ve heard legends of practical jokes and trickery but I can’t speak of it here.
Brenda has compassion and empathy. She can feel what others need and is quick to act and support in a tangible, kind, non-judgmental way. In the past, she has organized and/or led support groups knowing there was a need for comfort and advice. These traits come naturally to her. I am not sure if she realizes what a huge impact she has on people around her.
Brenda is humble. She knows exactly who she is. She gives her attention freely. She is a life-long learner who seeks information because there is always room for improvement. She doesn’t draw attention to her achievements probably because, to her, she’s just doing what needs to be done. Her actions speak volumes.

We will miss seeing this fabulous person every week at Buckham West. I’ve been dreading this month. But I realized I am happy, as we all are, for her embarking on this new chapter. I wish Brenda the peace and calm of retired life. I know, in time, she will be making decisions on how to give and spend her time in a meaningful manner. I know she will visit.

I am getting closer to my 750-word limit which Brenda taught me, I must abide to. When she was interim writer, she always had exactly 750 words. To be honest, I don’t usually, but I will today. She taught me tricks on how to make that happen. I will utilize this lesson today.

It is now time for the invitation and the request.
Buckham West would like to invite all that know Brenda, to come celebrate her and her 25-year tenure of service at the senior center. We are planning a retirement party for Wednesday, May 29th from 2pm-5pm in the Putrah Commons at Buckham West. There will be refreshments, good conversation and stories of the past and future.
I am requesting a favor. If you have a message, story or photo you would like to share to help make her day more special, please send them to jkorbel@buckhamwest.org or drop them at a box at the front desk by May 14th.