Jane Hamrick bid farewell to the Colley Senior Complex this week.

But only as a longtime, part-time employee. After a short break to take care of a medical issue, she will be back as full time participant.

Hamrick said that it will be necessary for her to be out a couple of months.

“Everybody here has been so sweet to me,” she said and added laughing that she “didn’t want them to have to keep putting up with this old lady.”

After she retired from teaching, Hamrick first participated in activities at the Colley Senior Complex and then began volunteering. She has worked in several capacities at the Colley Senior Complex

“I volunteered when Mary Ann Casey was the director,” she said. “When they needed someone to answer the phone out at the recreation center during lunch, Mary Ann suggested that I might enjoy doing that.”

After a short stint at the recreation center, Hamrick returned to the Colley Senior Complex as the assistant director. She later served as the interim director and then resumed her former position.

Hamrick is originally from East Tennessee but claims both Brundidge and Troy as “home.”

She followed friends to the newly renovated senior center in 2000 and almost immediately found a home away from home.

“It’s been a great ride,” Hamrick said. “I love this place and what it’s done for me and for so many others.

“This is a place for retired people to come and stay busy and involved. This is a place to keep busy and interested, go places and do things that you probably wouldn’t do otherwise.”

Hamrick said that she’s not one to stay home and do nothing.

“I want to stay active so I’ll come back and crochet and finish that skein of yarn,” she said. “And, I’ll enjoy doing ceramic pieces for my boys. I’ll come back as a participant, just like I was when I started.”