Saratoga News

MacFarlane leaves SASCC

By Sarah Lombardo

The only director the Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council has ever had announced her retirement April 21.

After more than 15 years, Olga MacFarlane will retire from her full-time position as executive director of SASCC effective June 30.

"I've decided it's time for me to work less time," she said.

MacFarlane said that she has no other jobs lined up and that the decision to leave SASCC was a difficult one.

"I'm regretful, in a sense," she said. "But it's time to take another turn in the road."

The announcement came as a shock to the SASCC board, according to president Roy Cook.

"I was totally surprised," he said, "but I feel fortunate that I had the opportunity of working with Olga. I think, without her, we wouldn't be where we are today."

The longtime Saratoga resident began with SASCC as a part-time volunteer, moving up to full-time director after three years. MacFarlane said she had thought of retiring last year but postponed it because the timing didn't seem right. But now, she said, the center is in a "good, stable period."

Mary Richards, currently the administrative director of the Saratoga Adult Care Center, will take over as SASCC director July 1.

"I feel the center is in good hands," MacFarlane said. "I think that it will work out."

Vice Mayor Jim Shaw also credited MacFarlane with building the Saratoga Senior Center into what it is today.

"I think she's been a great force in the development of the senior center," he said. "She's a very resilient lady who can plan ahead and handle many balls in the air at the same time."

Shaw, who attended high school with MacFarlane in Massachusetts, said MacFarlane's abilities shone through even then. "She was a star performer in high school, and she's carried that on."

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