After a very well received launch last year of the now annual Senior Champion Awards, where former South Pasadena mayor, Bob Joe, and longtime educator Granville “Granny” Thurman were honored, Monday saw this year’s honorees take center stage. At the senior center, loved ones, friends, neighbors and distinguished guests were all in attendance as the Senior Citizens Foundation honored long-time South Pasadenans, Ellen Daigle and Sally Kilby.

Their list of accomplishments and volunteerism is long indeed and as each were introduced and as each of them spoke of their lives here in South Pasadena, it became clear that they are a part of a very distinguished group and that the foundation had made another stellar choice this year.

After a light dinner, Ellen Daigle was the first to be honored. It was obvious from the thunderous applause how beloved and cherished she is. Among her many contributions, Daigle, best known as owner of a highly respected silk-screening business in town, founded the Women Involved in South Pasadena Political Activism (WISPPA) where she serves currently as vice president. Over the years, Daigle has given her time by sitting on the South Pasadena Public Safety Commission, the Parks Commission, Community Redevelopment Commission and Senior Commission. She also helped launch South Pasadenans for Intelligent and Responsible Growth (SPRIG).

Daigle has made South Pasadena her home since 1963 and, as the founder and president of Ellen’s Silkscreening, 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.

“This is unreal,” Daigle said of being honored with the Senior Champion Award. “What a great city this is – it’s only a great city because of the citizens. We fought the freeway for so many years, now we’re trying to keep our small town. It’s an amazing city.” She told the crowd that she came to South Pasadena right after nursing school, along with several other people that she knew at the time, “because it was just the nicest city around.” She then spoke fondly of all of her South Pas memories, going through the schools with her children, starting her business, and all the ways she involved herself in the continued growth and preservation of South Pasadena. She thanked many of those who have been with her on the journey.

Well wishers crowded to have a moment with her to congratulate and thank her. Daigle was overwhelmed by the outpouring from so many long-time friends and colleagues.

Kilby was introduced by her dear friend, Dean Serwin, who told the crowd about Kilby’s tireless efforts to promote any and all things South Pasadena, from working as our city clerk from 2000-2013, to volunteering and leading the South Pasadena Chinese-American Club, and her work with our South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Committee, the Friends of South Pasadena Public Library, and backing a number of ballot measures over the years.

Kilby did what she always does and thanked every person there who represented the various organizations that she has volunteered with saying, “I am honored to receive this award. In truth, however, I have had much help from many people in numerous organizations and you’re all here.” She was clearly moved by the turnout and support as she looked out and saw truly nothing but familiar faces of those whose lives she has touched through the years. “I saw how remarkable South Pasadena was when I began as the City Clerk. I have met inspiring community leaders and volunteers.” She went on to introduce and thank South Pasadena Library Director Cathy Billings, leaders of the city, city councilmembers and school board members, past members of ballot measure committees, the communication and design efforts of our local news publications and people like Bill Glazier, Nancy Lem, Henk Friezer, and Lourdes Donato, leaders of the Chinese American Club, leaders of the YMCA, Presidents of the South Pasadena Womans Club, Tournament of Roses committee leaders Joan Shaw, Janet Benjamin, and Ed Donnelly (current president), and former Mayor Bob Joe. She thanked the foundation and all of the helpers with whom she says she shares this award.

Secretary of the Seniors Foundation, Alexandria Levitt, said, “I want to say how tickled I am to honor two such wonderful pillars of our town. We’re really lucky to live in a place like this and it’s wonderful to honor people who have done so much to make South Pasadena better.” Diagle and Kilby were then presented with flowers, the permanent Champion Awards plaque with their names added to it which will hang in the senior center year round, and certificates of recognition from the offices of State Senator Anthony Portantino and Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

District Representative from Senator Portantino, Erica Nam, said, “on behalf of Senator Portantino, I am very excited to present these certificates to two such prominent prominent leaders.” The certificate reads in part, “on behalf of the California State Senate, I am proud to join the Senior Citizens Foundation of South Pasadena in honoring you for your service to the seniors in your community. This recognition is a direct reflection of your selflessness and dedication to the city of South Pasadena and its residents. Thank you for your countless contributions and unparalleled efforts.”

Bill Cullinane, president of the Senior Citizens Foundation, was also recognized with a certificate from Senator Portantino which read in part, “I am delighted to join the South Pasadena community in congratulating you on this joyous occasion. Your selfless efforts to provide an opportunity to celebrate South Pasadena’s seniors and also highlight these community members for their dedication to our city is truly commendable.”

San Marino resident and representative from Kathryn Barger’s office, Nathan Tsai, reflected that when he went to San Marino High School, “when we saw the tag on t-shirts that said Ellen’s Silkscreening, we knew they were going to be good shirts!” He went on to present certificates of commendation to Daigle and Kilby on behalf of Barger.

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.

“Sally and Ellen are two of the real gems in our community,” said Cullinane. “The two of them help inspire the Senior Citizen Foundation to continually push forward in any way possible. The Senior Center and the Senior Citizen Foundation are organizations the citizens of South Pasadena can rightfully be proud to call their own.”

“The Senior Citizens 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,” says Cullinane. “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 helping them lead meaningful, engaged lives.”

For those wishing to make a tax-deductible donation to the Senior Citizens Foundation of South Pasadena, visit: spsenior.org. The South Pasadena Senior Center is located at 1102 Oxley Street, where they offer daily lunches, classes, workshops, field trips, and special holiday luncheons.

Bill Glazier also contributed to this article.

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