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Legacy lives
Center renamed for late director
3 Senior Center pic
Andy Dorotovich plays the piano for the other seniors and volunteers at the senior center, which is being renamed the Margie Weaver Senior Center in honor of the late director. - photo by Amanda Head Dawson Community News

A ceremony next week will pay tribute to the late Margie Weaver, whose legacy as an advocate for seniors lives on at the center that will share her name.

Granddaughter Samantha Bruce said she can't think of a more fitting dedication to her grandmother than for officials to rename the county's facility at Veterans Memorial Park the Margie Weaver Senior Center.

"This place wouldn't be the same without her. She just had such a big heart. She was an inspiration," Bruce said. "She would do anything for anybody."

The ceremony is set for 1 p.m. July 25 at the center where Weaver, who died March 18 at age 74, had served the county's seniors for nearly three decades.

Tuesday would have been her 30th anniversary as the center's director.

Much of the facility's success reflects Weaver's strong desire and compassion for the seniors' health, wellness and contentment, according to many.

"Margie let me do a lot stuff that some of them won't let me do. She was good to me," said Grace Mashburn.

Many of the seniors remain active at the center because of Weaver's encouragement. While at the helm, she worked to grow its leisure, health and wellness programs.

"We play bingo and they have some crafts," said Beatrice Altamura. "[Margie] was happy all the time. I loved her. We miss her. She was everybody's friend."

Weaver was also responsible for the addition of many upgrades at the center and worked tirelessly to secure funding for an elevator that allows seniors to access the basement, where exercise programs and art classes are held.

Volunteer Sarah Wishoum saw Weaver's impact up close.

"This place was her life because the people were her life. She went above and beyond her means to help anybody that needed help," she said. "She was one in a million.

"There are not enough words to say about her, no words to express what she meant to the people and to us."