Marie Vigil and Elnora McCloughan display their Older Americans Month Awards. The Larimer County Office on Aging presented a cake to Vigil and McCloughan at their recognition on May 12.
Bob McDonnell / The Surveyor

By Bob McDonnell
The Surveyor

FORT COLLINS – Since 1963 communities across the nation celebrate Older Americans Month in May. The Larimer County Office on Aging held a ceremony to honor two seniors on May 12. This year the two honorees both have Berthoud ties. They are Elnora McCloughan and Marie Vigil.

McCloughan, director of the Berthoud Golden Links, won the 2016 Stan Ulrich Senior Volunteer Award. Criteria for the award includes advocacy for seniors and senior issues, volunteerism, a positive attitude, and sharing knowledge and wisdom with others.

Larimer County Commissioners Tom Donnelly and Steve Johnson presented the awards to the recipients.

McCloughan began her advocacy for seniors in 1986. In 1989 she was instrumental in working with the Berthoud Fire Protection District to expand the existing fire station to build a community center that would house the senior center. More recently she offered her expertise and leadership to offer the Rural Alternatives for Transportation (RAFT) a place to operate. During the ceremony Johnson listed many more of McCloughan’s accomplishments.

Ruth Fletcher-Carter and Bonnie Glass nominated McCloughan for this award.

Vigil, a Berthoud resident, won the 2016 Stan Ulrich Senior Caregiver Award. Criteria for this award includes advocacy for family caregivers, a positive attitude, willingness to receive help and support, and recognizing the caregiver limits and providing the highest quality of life possible for the person receiving the care.

From 2012 to 2016, Vigil cared for her husband Derald following his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease and later a stroke. Before 2012 Vigil oversaw Derald’s care when he suffered a heart attack. Since Derald’s passing Marie continues to care for people she knows.

Ruth Fletcher-Carter submitted Vigil’s nomination information.

Commissioner Donnelly commented on the fact that the two volunteers recognized were from the south part of the county. “South County is still community. People still help one another. They still know each other,” said Donnelly.