Are you 50 or older? If so, come into the Scotts Valley Senior Center and meet the new coordinator, Darshana Patel-Croskrey. Not only has she had a very interesting career, but has an interesting life, far away from her native Great Britain.
In England, Patel-Croskrey worked for Barclays Bank. She came to Southern California to work for Barclays here in the United States but soon left Barclays and went to a Savings and Loan Bank. One day, a young man came in to open an account.
“We had so much to talk about that it took three days to get that account working,” Patel-Croskrey said with a laugh.
You guessed it, that man was Willie Croskrey, who became her husband. Shortly after that, they moved to Scotts Valley and eventually became the parents of two daughters, Shauna and Sarah.
Patel-Croskrey has lived, worked and volunteered in the community. Her jobs have included art coordinator for the school district, board recording secretary for the school district and facilities coordinator for St. Philips Episcopal Church in Scotts Valley.
“My volunteer activities have included Scotts Valley Friends of the Library, the Kiwanis Club, the Scotts Valley Schools and the Bharatinya Cultural Association of Santa Cruz, a group of Indian people who try to keep in touch with their heritage,” she said. “One of the most memorable moments of my life was the Woman of the Year award presented by Scotts Valley in 2002 for my volunteer activities.”
Present to see her accept the award were her “nearest and dearest,” including her mother from England.
Patel-Croskrey has many hobbies including cooking, reading and traveling and fundraising. She has been to India, the western U.S. and Europe. She hopes to travel east to visit all the Civil War sites and Prince Edward Island where the fictional Anne of Green Gables grew up.
She states as her basic philosophy, “Live, laugh and have fun. Treat everyone as you would like to be treated.”
Patel-Croskrey’s been working at the senior center for several months.
“I love working at the senior center,” she said. “I am planning to start more center activities to attract the many interests in our community. Anyone over 50 can join the center, and I would love to have a mix of older and younger seniors.”
Future plans for the center include beginning piano and guitar classes, a choir, pinochle and cribbage, computer classes at all different levels, and senior safety. She wants to make the center a vibrant and happening place.
Patel-Croskrey also would like to “go green” by converting the monthly bulletin to e-mail for those who have it and sending the hard copy for those that would like it. She smiles and says, “Rome wasn’t built in a day, and I expect it will take some time to implement my plans as I work them out with my wonderful board.”
Overall, the experience in the area has been good.
“Scotts Valley has been a wonderful place to raise my family. I feel blessed to have had this opportunity to live and work in this community. I also feel fortunate to work for the center. It is close to the park in a beautiful location with great volunteers and board members.”
For information about the center, or about activities for 50-and-up, call 438-8666.
