A hidden gem retires from SRA

To the Editor:

Tucked in at Swarthmore Friends Meeting House or the Presbyterian Church, Joyce Perry has been the director of SRA Preschool since around 1968. I’ll do the math for you — that is a long time. Fifty years to be exact, and she has made an amazing contribution to the community of Swarthmore and SRA during her tenure.

Joyce Perry

I have had the pleasure of working with her over the last 24 years serving as SRA Summer Director for Preschool, Summer Club, and the two Sports Camps. Joyce would walk every day to camp, rain or shine, and welcome the children with a smile. She has worked with close to 1,000 teenagers as counselors over the years, dealing with the changes that have occurred over that time seamlessly. 

Not having her at the Preschool is strange, but from what I have heard she is enjoying her time with family and a well-deserved rest. I just couldn’t let her slip away quietly, as I’m sure she would prefer, without letting her know how much she was respected, appreciated and loved.

Good luck Joyce. We’ll toast you with an apple juice and some graham crackers on the last day of camp this year. 

Dan Shaffer
Swarthmore