Senior advocates Cecil West and Dean Stewart
Amy Sandling Crawford

When you talk to living legends like Plano’s own Dean Stewart and Cecil West, you realize that some things can’t be accomplished overnight; they must be gained through perseverance and dedication. Some of this duo’s accomplishments have been years in the making, yet they’ve remained committed to working every day to meet their goals.

Their passion? Serving the seniors of Plano by bettering Plano’s senior center, advocating for seniors, and providing programs and services to be of service to the older members of the community.

Almost 30 years ago, a small seniors group started meeting and conducting activities at a Presbyterian church in Plano. After experiencing rapid growth, the group was offered meeting space in an old Plano Parks and Recreation facility in 1984. That facility became the first Plano Senior Center.

“That old building leaked when it rained, and it leaked when it didn’t rain,” chuckled West. “We realized we were going to have to do something about getting a bigger, better facility for the seniors.”

Through donations and City of Plano funds, that first facility was remodeled for the seniors’ use until the space was outgrown. In 1995, funds were acquired through a bond election to build the current facility on the same property. The current building opened in October 1997.

“The center is a place for Plano seniors to make new friends, maintain and improve their health while dancing, exercising, traveling, painting, playing games like bridge, dominoes, mahjong and bingo, and just hanging out together. It’s just a fun place to be,” said Plano Senior Center Administrative Assistant Carolyn Bowers, who has worked at the center more than 25 years.

Stewart, 87, laughed when recalling the process of building the new center. “I worked with another of our committee members, Joe Hill, when we were planning the new center. Joe decided that they were not designing the building right!” he said. “We realized that the east entrance needed a gradual, sloping walk for people with walkers. Originally, that was going to be a bay window. We decided it needed to be changed, raised some funds, and told them to make the change!”

Bowers said Stewart and West were part of a group of former Plano Senior Council members that created the Plano Senior Coalition for the purpose of helping seniors in Plano.

“We did a lot of good things there in that group,” West said. “We were really involved in getting the new building put together, and we did all kinds of things to raise funds. It was such a learning experience for me. I really wanted to be involved in something like that. Something big. When they ask you, you really cannot say no.”

“Really, it’s simple,” Stewart added. “Volunteering is the right thing to do. There is a personal reward in it. There’s a lot of need for the seniors in the community. We thought that we could help a bit. We did it as much for ourselves as we did for anyone else.”

Bowers said that the two were always dedicated to serving Plano’s seniors and the community as a whole. “They decided they wanted to do more, not just for the Plano Senior Center, but for any and all seniors that needed help, city and county-wide.”

Stewart, West and others started petitions, met with Lions Clubs and Rotary Clubs, and visited churches and other organizations, spreading the word about the needs of seniors, especially the need for a new senior center and the needs of Plano’s Douglass Center.

“The first bond election for the Senior Center was not passed,” Bowers recalled. “That just made them more determined to pass the next one, and it did.”

Bowers has many special memories of working with West. “He always led our prayers at special events,” she said. “He was also in charge of our Friday afternoon bridge group for many years. But he didn’t play much bridge, because he couldn’t sit still! He was always in a hurry. He was also the person in charge of the bread program at the center. He made sure there was someone at each store each day to pick up day-old bread for the Senior Center to hand out. Even though Cecil is now in assisted living, he still takes care of that program by telephone!”

West, who describes himself as “80-something”, said he’s been slowed by medical challenges and age, but he still desires to serve the community. And he always encourages others to volunteer and give back, too. “I haven’t been able to give as much as I used to,” he said, “but you do what you can; you don’t do what you can’t do. If it weren’t for volunteers, the center wouldn’t be open. People have to have the ‘want to’ to help. But it’s so very worth it.”

Bowers also was quick to praise Stewart’s tireless dedication. “Dean was very active with the Maurice Barnett Geriatric Wellness Center, Plano Community Homes, and the Collin County Committee on Aging,” she said. “He tirelessly attended meetings and wrote reports and researched information to find out the main needs of these organizations and how to meet those needs.”

Stewart said their group worked hard and followed the same pattern over and over: see a need, raise funds, make a change for the good. It’s a simple system that served them well. “Our intent was always to simply help the senior community,” he said. “And that’s basically what we did. We were fortunate to have so many good helpers, and we were able to raise funds and do a whole lot.”

 Providing senior transportation was one of the big senior needs that the team took to heart. Bowers said that West and Stewart were well known for giving people rides to doctor’s appointments, hospital visits, and funerals.

“These very generous gentlemen have shared their skills, time and energy at the Senior Center and in our community for more than 20 years,” added City of Plano Volunteer Resources Supervisor Robin Popik. “They have both led honorable lives that should be celebrated for their many accomplishments. Both of them wanted to make a difference for Plano seniors. We thank them for sharing so much with us.”

Dell Kaplan worked at the Plano Senior Center from 1984–2008 as the recreation supervisor and worked with West and Stewart often. “What can I say?” she said. “They were, and are, committed to advocating for their peers, and they ‘walked the walk.’ Unfortunately, failing health and lack of transportation do keep older people from doing a lot of things they would like to do. These problems exist. But there is so much to take advantage of in Plano.

“The Senior Recreation Center is a friendly place to go, with much to offer…something for everyone’s interest. Through the years many have told me it was their ‘second home’ and ‘they didn’t know what they would do without their Senior Center.’ I would encourage them to not hesitate about reaching out to make new friends. Stay active physically and mentally. It’s not always comfortable to ask someone for a ride, but in the end, it’s always worth it, and maybe that person was just sitting there waiting for someone to ask for their help!”

Bowers added, “We could not operate our center without our volunteers, and these two volunteers are perfect examples! I would like to tell everyone who thinks they would like to volunteer that age does not matter; rich or poor doesn’t matter. There are so many needs, and volunteers can fill these needs. They will not only be helping others but also themselves.”