She led the pack of senior citizens who were standing, sitting
or supported by walkers and canes, all shouting
”
Save our senior center.
”
She led the pack of senior citizens who were standing, sitting or supported by walkers and canes, all shouting “Save our senior center.” Up and down on the pavement she moved, punching the air with her fists, energized by the response from the crowd in front of the Centennial Recreation Center Senior Center. The problem in spring 2010 was to find funding for activities enjoyed at the center – and it remains a huge issue today.
Julia Starling is dedicated to preserving funding for the center. The Mt. Madonna YMCA provided a one-time $25,000 grant that allowed activities to continue for a year. “I am so worried about future funding for the center,” Starling said, “I hope that the city earmarks monies so that programs can continue. Don’t let it crumble.”
Starling, who retired in 1995 and was already involved in a couple of community-related activities, found she had time on her hands and decided to take a look a look at the community recreation center. Amazed at the cleanliness and amenities available, she ventured down the hall to the senior center and was hooked. “I became a volunteer that day,” she said, “Observing and learning the sign-in procedure.”
She now sits on the senior center board, plus volunteers four times a week. She remembers everyones’ name, where they prefer to sit during lunch and any special conditions that require special seating. Recognizing that some seniors are a bit forgetful, Starling plays mentor for them. She said that she tries to reduce any friction that exists, real or imagined. There is no point in being mad at each other, she adds, at this stage of the game. “I’m beginning to walk in their shoes,” she said.
That may be, but, at 75, she still looks good in jeans and sandals. Lean, wiry, with short dark hair sprinkled with gray, Starling has expressive hands that she uses to punctuate her sentences. Direct, positive and passionate, this woman has survived experiences that would leave most of her peers in pieces.
A teen-aged pregnancy, two divorces, the loss of a beloved son and a recent bout with cancer – Starling’s life has not been a walk on the beach. Her youthful dream of joining the Army, earning a degree and seeing the world was trashed when she was 16.
“I had sex, got pregnant and dropped out of school,” she said. After a family fight, she left the house and moved in with a married sister. The father of the child finally agreed to marry her; 19 years and four kids later, the couple divorced him in 1969.
Left with four children and no support money, she found work with Owens Illinois in San Jose and trained as a quality control inspector. She married again in 1971, a fellow worker from Owens Illinois and another son was born in 1973. The second marriage also ended in divorce.
At the same time, her older son, 18, a football player, became sick and lost 40 pounds. His coach convinced Starling to seek help. The young man was loaded with tumors and considered terminal at Stanford, where he was treated.
His death devastated her.
A 1978 divorce found her with two kids at home: a daughter, 13 and son, 7. She kept moving.
Along the way, Starling had earned a GED; her next step was an associate degree in human behavior at Faith Bible College, San Jose. She was hired by Santa Clara County as a social worker and completed a BA in social work at the same college. Her case load of 200 families included many in the San Martin area.
Realizing that living closer to San Martin would make her life and commute a lot easier, she learned about South County Housing Corporation’s Sweat Equity program
that meant no immediate down payment. Between 40 to 50 people built their own homes in a team effort that involved working every weekend for 10 hours a day to repay the amount of the down payment.
She still had a mortgage, taxes and insurance expenses, but her efforts resulted in a 1,370-square-foot house in which she still lives with a son and daughter. Starling said this program provided a great opportunity for those willing to work hard.
Starling is an activist and right now, her focus is on the senior center. She will do whatever it takes to gain financial support for stimulating programs that mean so much to the elderly of Morgan Hill.
Peggy Thompson is a retired journalist who lives in Gilroy with her husband, dog and untold wild creatures. She regularly attends the Morgan Hill Senior Center. Reach her at cl***@ga****.com.
