Sherry Stefanes Retires from Bloomfield Township Senior Services

Staff and volunteers at the Bloomfield Township Senior Servics Center celebrated the retirement of Sherry Stefanes during a gathering Monday in The Friendship Club Adult Day Service at the Bloomfield Township Senior Center.

Many friends, volunteers and fellow employees attended to help Stefanes commemorate 20 years of service to township residents, according to a news release.

Stefanes started her activism with Bloomfield Township in 1993 by serving on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Two years later, she became the first woman appointed to the township board, and was elected in 1996, 2000 and 2004. She also served on the planning commission, and remained on the Zoning Board of Appeals before stepping down from both bodies in 2011.

Stefanes did not limit her community involvement to just local government. She is the immediate past-president of the Birmingham Bloomfield Community Coalition, past president of the Bloomfield Village Board of Trustees, Albion College Alumni Board of Trustees, and also had leadership positions in the Women Officials' Network. The news release stated that she also served on several Birmingham Public School's parents groups, the Junior League of Birmingham, and the Pontiac Art Center and was former District Liaison for Shelley Goodman Taub, former State Representative, 40th District.

"In 2003 Sherry engaged in the strategic planning process for senior services and was a strong advocate for a stable funding source and a senior center," BTSS Director Christine Tvaroha said.

Stefanes started out as a volunteer and then joined the staff. For nearly four years she has been an integral member of Friendship Club team responsible for developing the therapeutic activities, Tvaroha added.

"She cares deeply about members, caregivers and her team mates and will be greatly missed by all," she said.