After nearly 10 years at the Bonney Lake Senior Center, Senior Services Assistant Staci Guirsch has said her goodbyes and moved to Eastern Washington to take over a family business.

The center hosted a going away party for Guirsch on June 6.

Guirsch’s tenure at the center predated Senior Services Director Sue Hilberg, who said Staci’s laughter and compassion for the seniors will be missed.

“She really knew how to listen to the seniors and connect with them personally,” Hilberg said this past week. “She was very invested in their welfare and well-being.”

Guirsch handled much of the programming at the center, planning activities and scheduling events and classes, including health services, but to those at the center, her role was much bigger than that.

“I think what she brought personally to her position was a real sense of compassion,” Hilberg said.

“She was a jack-of-all-trades,” said Leota Musgrave, whose time at the center predates even Guirsch’s. “We’re going to miss her something terrible.”

Hilberg said the plan is to not fill Guirsch’s position due to save money in the budget. Assistant Jan Smith will take a larger role as far as programming and two other staffers will see an increase in hours.