Judy Epi retires after 46 years at NCSC | Newton Community Service Center

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Judy Epi retires after 46 years at NCSC

Submitted by notnnnimda on Mon Dec 31

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kfreedman@ncscweb.org

December 30, 2012 – After 46 years of dedication and caring, Judy Epi has retired from NCSC.

In 46 years at NCSC Judy Epi has touched the lives of children and families through all phases of growth and five decades of innovations in educating young children. The legacy Judy leaves for NCSC is the warmth and genuine caring for families in our care.

Judy Epi
and husband Paul

As administrative coordinator, Judy has been the first person a family meets at NCSC as they inquire about care for their young children. She’s the first person they see welcoming them every morning as they drop off their children. She knows their circumstances, shares their hopes for their children, and empathizes with their family challenges.

Having worked her entire life at NCSC, Judy’s resume reads like a history of the organization. When only a junior at Newton South, Judy began her career as camp counselor at the NCSC Summer Camp at Hale Reservation. NCSC’s camp site was still under construction and the swimming lake still settling from being dredged. Her husband Paul worked there at the same time, though NCSC cannot be credited with their matchmaking – they were neighbors and classmates in school.

After earning her associates degree, Judy returned to NCSC as a teacher in the half day nursery school at the United Presbyterian Church in West Newton. Both parents working was not common in those days. Judy was one of the teachers who opened the NCSC Infant/Toddler program held at the Auburndale Congregational Church and Preschool at the Presbyterian Church in Newton Corner. In the afternoons, Judy also taught classes at the NCSC Community Center - cooking classes, anything that was needed. When NCSC launched an afterschool program at the Pomroy House on Eldridge Street, Judy taught there, too. Tony Bibbo, Executive Director of the agency at that time, recognized Judy’s leadership abilities and welcoming charisma when he appointed her afterschool coordinator. When early education and care evolved to the program we know today, Judy’s responsibilities expanded to full administrative coordinator.

NCSC has promoted Linda Miller to fill Judy’s role as administrative coordinator. Linda’s transition to this full time position will be one of natural progression and growth. Linda brings the experience of working closely with Judy for the last 5 years along with a breadth of administrative experience she acquired working for the Marriott Hotel chain for 25 years.

On Friday, January 25, 2013, more than 80 friends and former and current colleagues came together to celebrate Judy’s life work and wished her much health and happiness in retirement with husband Paul. Guests traveled from as far away as Maryland and Connecticut. Tony Bibbo, Havi Stander, Director of Early Education from 1980-1995, and Lonnie Schroeder, current Director of Early Education, shared stories of Judy’s talents and hijinx. Musician Hugh Hanley regaled Judy with a custom song played to the tune of Elvis Presley’s “All Shook Up.” Jon Firger, Executive Director ended his salutation to Judy with “a remarkable woman with a remarkable career, we all hope to share in your remarkable future.” With a cut crystal frame, NCSC Board of Directors, represented by Chairperson Hattie Kerwin Derrick, expressed their sincere thanks to Judy Epi for her dedication and the sense of community that she inspired during her tenure at NCSC.