History of Senior Concerns a book topic

To honor the founders of Senior Concerns, the nonprofit Thousand Oaks support group for older adults, Judy Watson decided to record the organization’s history in a book.

Watson, who volunteers in the Bargain Boutique and Thrift Shop operated by Senior Concerns, spent six months tape recording and transcribing interviews of volunteers and three surviving founders, Almeda Babcock, Betty Langlois and Eleanor Roche.

“This is my gift to them, especially Almeda,” Watson said. “It’s a wonderful history.”

Watson said Babcock, 85, cried when she read a pre-published version of the book, which brought back long-forgotten memories of Senior Concerns and those who helped establish it in 1975. The idea came about during a conversation between Watson and Babcock. Watson, who moved to Westlake Village from the Valley in 1968, was surprised to learn that no one had taken minutes or notes of the group’s rich history. With only a few of the original organizers still alive, Watson decided to proceed.

“This was a chance for me to say once upon a time a group of ordinary people did something extraordinary,” said Watson, who began volunteering in the thrift shop shortly after her husband, Dick, passed away in 1999. “They were absolutely dedicated and did this with no recognition.”

Sandy Bishop, president of Senior Concerns, is grateful Watson recorded the group’s history. The book is especially timely, she said, because the organization will mark its 30th anniversary in July.

Senior Concerns will help Watson publish the book.

“It’s really important because a lot of times we do the work but don’t record the history,” Bishop said.

––Sophia Fischer