(left to right) Mayor Darrin Canniff, Councillor Clare Latimer, Josephine Richardson and Councillor Marjorie Crew. (Photo courtesy of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent)
For Josephine Richardson, retiring from teaching wasn’t an end to having an impact on her community; it was the beginning.
Richardson has received the Chatham-Kent Senior of the Year award for her tireless volunteer efforts that have touched so many people in the municipality.
After her retirement, the former teacher became a member of the Chatham Kent Quilter’s Guild, making quilts for the police and fire departments to be given to those suffering from accidents or unsafe situations. She also knits quilts for those with cancer and other illnesses.
Richardson’s caring personality has also extended outside of Chatham-Kent. As a weekly volunteer for Canadian Food for Children, she has made and donated 410 quilts that have been sent to Africa, South America and Ukraine.
Richardson is also known around her neighbourhood for shovelling people’s driveways, dropping off baked goods, or just visiting with other seniors.
A proud grandma of 14 grandchildren, and soon-to-be a great-grandma, Richardson was honoured on Wednesday during a live broadcast of the 2022 Chatham-Kent Celebration of Older Adults on YourTV. She was chosen from among more than a dozen nominees.
More than 1,000 CK residents have been honoured since the awards began in Blenheim more than 30 years ago.