Recognizing those who set the gold standard
The Gold Standard of Optimal Aging Award Ceremony celebrates older adults, aged 85 years and over, who lead engaged and flourishing lives and inspire those around them with their zest for life. This is an Optimal Aging Month signature event organized each year by the UofL Trager Institute, Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic, to create an age-friendly culture in our community.
Marleen Buckler, 86
Marleen is known for her zest for life and good humor, and for not letting age limit her ability to do good. Since her retirement, she has volunteered for various organizations, such as the Senior Center of Bardstown, the Bread for Life Community Pantry, and the St. Vincent De Paul outreach ministries. She takes her commitment to volunteering very seriously and often laments having to take any days off, which isn’t often.
She is an active member of the Nazareth Villages, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity. She is known to make baked goods for the staff and other retirees, and sometimes takes other residents to the grocery store, runs errands for them, or offers to drive them to the Community Pantry and the Feeding America Food Distribution giveaway at the Bardstown Fairgrounds.
She is also very interested in staying abreast of new technology and often impresses family and friends with how tech-savvy she has been.
Marleen shared, “As I age, I dare to live every day to my fullest ability.”