VIDEO: Tributes and a toast as Senior Center of West Seattle celebrates longtime leader Karen Sisson

(WSB photos/video)
Lots of laughter Wednesday night at the Senior Center of West Seattle sendoff for now-retired longtime executive director Karen Sisson – a party with a nautical theme, as she and husband Doug Sisson were vowing to spend more time on their boat.

Before they could sail into the sunset, there was an acknowledgment of a big tribute on land – naming the Senior Center’s home the Sisson Building:

The rededication was officially proclaimed by County Executive Dow Constantine, preceding a champagne toast for Sisson, fitting given that her most-mentioned accomplishment was getting the law changed to create a specific class of liquor licenses for Senior Centers, though it could be argued that the now-renamed Sisson Building represented an even-bigger achievement, owned by the Senior Center in no small part thanks to Sisson’s effort during her quarter-century there.

Even more of Sisson’s accomplishments were recounted in the mayoral proclamation read at the party, declaring Wednesday “Karen Sisson Day” in Seattle:

Sisson herself spoke about the job she felt she was “born to do” – working with seniors – more than 40 years, in Walla Walla for 18 before her quarter-century in West Seattle:

She is considered both tough and fun; her long tenure at the center ended suddenly last summer in a clash with the citywide nonprofit that staffs it, but the center brought her back for a time as a consultant, and then a few months ago, planning began for this retirement party, featuring everything from hors d’oeuvres to The Ukes:

It was planned by a committee including board member Nancy Sorensen, who emceed.

1 Reply to "VIDEO: Tributes and a toast as Senior Center of West Seattle celebrates longtime leader Karen Sisson"

  • jayjay June 11, 2015 (10:54 am)

    What a dynamic and terrific asset!!! She should be so very proud of her legacy!

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