Irene Jeanson

You can tell by Irene Jeanson’s fashion palette that she enjoys

bringing color to other people’s lives.

Jeanson, 89, has a penchant for pink -- pink lipstick, pink

jackets and colorful blouses that feature pink prominently.

For the past 20 years, Jeanson has been brightening the lives of

other seniors through numerous volunteer activities, among them

helping out with the Costa Mesa Senior Center since it opened in

1992.

“We nominated her this year for the Volunteer Recognition at

Disneyland because of all the years she’s been here,” Aviva Goelman,

the center’s director, said. “She’s here everyday, always with a

smile. She’s a wonderful person. We wish we had a hundred like her.”

Jeanson said she was inspired to volunteer after spending a lot of

time at home with her ailing husband, who passed away in 1980.

Instead of just devoting herself to one activity, Jeanson dove into

volunteering and now helps out with a slew of activities.

“I don’t stop to think about all I do,” Jeanson said modestly. “I

just enjoy being with people.”

Every morning, her bright face is at the Senior Center by 8 a.m.

to help serve the bread for breakfast. In the mornings, she also

helps put the Senior Center newsletter together to be mailed.

Tuesday nights, in between kicking up her heels, Jeanson

graciously serves coffee and lemonade during the intermission of the

ballroom dances.

She also helps prepare the food for the center’s Monte Carlo

nights and the annual art show.

Jeanson doesn’t limit herself to the Costa Mesa Senior Center,

though. She also lends her cheery attitude and help to the Oasis

Senior Center in Newport Beach.

“I just like to be needed,” Jeanson said. “I think everybody likes

that.”

-- Story by Deirdre Newman,

Photo by Steve McCrank