The Joyce Raye Patterson Senior Center celebrated 40 years of service to St. Joseph and surrounding communities on Thursday, November 15, with a proclamation made by Mayor Bill McMurray followed by the annual Thanksgiving Dinner.

According to a press release, the senior center was named after Joyce Raye Patterson, a local woman who worked to improve the lives and meet the needs of the community by expanding services. She was instrumental in expanding Inter-Serv to 11 sites throughout St. Joseph and worked to obtain the Wesley Towers and St. Francis Apartments, the first senior living facilities in the community.

The senior center officially opened on October 16, 1978, under the direction of Mrs. Betty Thomas to provide a location for seniors 50 and older and all persons with disabilities, regardless of age, to meet and participate in activities. Activities and programming are coordinated by senior center members. Some activities include playing card games, dominoes, mahjong, pool, snooker, Wii, participating in arts and crafts and much more.  Evening dances are held twice a week and a variety of groups hold their regularly scheduled meetings at the center. The center also provides fitness classes, fitness center memberships and operates a cafeteria during lunch four days a week. All seniors are welcome to visit and enjoy the facility and all ages are encouraged to try lunch at a new location in town.

For more information about the senior center and the 40th anniversary, contact Ann Salanky, Senior Center Manager, (816) 271-4666 or [email protected].