One is known for her civic-minded duties, an entrusted longtime employee for the City of South Pasadena, and a big supporter of the local library, who continues to stay active in a variety of activities.
The other is recognized for her involvement in community affairs, a prominent figure in the business district, and for founding a successful apparel printing and embroidery company in the city.
Together, they make a dynamic duo, and will be honored for their achievements on Monday, August 14, from 5 to 7 p.m., as the next two recipients to receive the Senior Champion Awards from the Senior Citizens’ Foundation of South Pasadena. Tickets, including a wine and cheese reception, are $26 each.
Sally Kilby and Ellen Daigle will be recognized for their enormous contributions to the local community. The event was first held in 2022 when former mayor Bob Joe and educator Granville “Granny” Thurman were honored.
Ironically, the career path both Daigle and Kilby initially took began in nursing.
Kilby, with a varied background, is best known locally for serving as the city clerk for the City of South Pasadena from 2000 to 2013. Along with once being a nurse, she has been a library employee, editor, freelance writer, advertising copywriter and held a marketing director position.
Locally, Kilby has contributed heavily to the South Pasadena Chinese-American Club, the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library, and given her time in supporting a number of ballot measure committees. In recent months, she has provided publicity for the South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Committee.
Her many accolades don’t stop there. Kilby was named a 2022 Volunteer of the Year recipient by the South Pasadena Library, earned an Image Award in 2014 for enhancing, what else, the city’s image, was selected a community champion by the Kiwanis Club of South Pasadena in 2013 – celebrating South Pasadena’s 90th anniversary – and in 2011 was recognized for her efforts as the city’s Utility Users Tax was renewed.
It’s all capped off with her having a deep fondness for South Pasadena and all that it has to offer. “I enjoy every part of town because I’ve been here a long time now,” said Kilby. “When I started working for the city in 2001, it was a whole new life for me.”
She grew up in a military family, moving every two years, “so I never had a hometown. I never knew what it was like,” she explained.
That all changed when Kilby settled in South Pasadena. “Now, I know people everywhere and it’s so amazing,” she said. “Just a warm and wonderful feeling. You feel like you belong instead of being a visitor.”
In her days as South Pasadena’s city clerk, Kilby would often walk from City Council meetings to her home on Monterey Road. “It wasn’t really unsafe, just a couple of blocks,” she recalled, talking about how former mayor Dick Richards and active community member John Vandercook would follow her from City Hall in their cars, then call her later to ensure she arrived safely.
“The people in South Pasadena are incredible – the employees, and elected officials and the residents put so much into the city to maintain what we have,” said Kilby. “It’s wonderful.”
Daigle, who has made South Pasadena her home since 1963, founded and is the president of Ellen’s Silkscreening, and continues to provide embroidery, promotional, and apparel to groups and organizations throughout the Los Angeles area.
When not spending long hours tirelessly working at her store on Mission Street, only steps from City Hall, Daigle is busy promoting South Pasadena’s small-town values.
Her many achievements include founding Women Involved in South Pasadena Political Activism (WISPPA), currently serving as the organization’s vice president. She also helped launch South Pasadenans for Intelligent and Responsible Growth (SPRIG), and over the years has served on the South Pasadena Public Safety Commission, the Parks Commission, Community Redevelopment Commission and Senior Commission.
Outside the city, she has been an executive board member for Vital Voices, recognizing women’s leadership roles, and was named Woman of the Year by Congressman Adam Schiff. LA County Business Journal named Ellen one of the top 100 woman-owned businesses on a number of occasions and she was awarded Press Magazine’s National Industry Award for Excellence and Ethics in business. In addition, she was recognized with a Best of Los Angeles Award, a community formed in 2014 to celebrate top people, places and things in the city.
Calling the Senior Champions Award “a very, very rare honor,” Daigle takes pride in accepting it. “What a pleasure it has been to live and work in this great town, have a business, be around so many wonderful people, and help shape the community through my involvement,” she said.
Like Kilby, South Pasadena is a special place for Daigle. “The city has been so good to us,” said Daigle. “There’s so much of a feeling that what you have to say really matters. I don’t think there’s any place like this, quite honestly.”
When her children were younger, attending South Pasadena schools, they would never go to the market with their mother, telling her later in life, “That’s because you knew everybody. When you’d stop and talk to everyone, it would take two hours!”
The two honorees will be riding in the Festival of Balloons Parade on July 4.
The Senior Citizens’ Foundation was created to ensure the that the South Pasadena Senior Center thrives and continues to have the necessary funding to deliver programming and services.
“The Senior Center Foundation board is a very low-key but extremely effective organization that provides critical assistance in making the Senior Center a place of great welcome,” explained Bill Cullinane, the board’s president. “Our only mission is to provide support for the seniors who need help. Observing the activities and seeing how vibrant our seniors are it is hard not to be moved by their zest for life.”
Further, Cullinane said, the Senior Center is an important aspect of life in South Pasadena and “is well deserving of our commitment to help wherever possible. Many of the people enjoying the Senior Center have contributed much to the city and deserve our best efforts in to helping them lead meaningful, engaged lives.”
For those wishing to purchase tickets to the Senior Champion Awards event or make a tax-deductible donation to the organization, visit: spsenior.org. They are also on sale by check at the South Pasadena Senior Center, 1102 Oxley Street.
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