In 1979, after Joyce Stiles-Tucker graduated from college with a degree in sociology and a social work license, she returned to Vineyard Haven, where she was born, headed to Main street and began passing out copies of her resume. She soon received a call about a job at the council on aging.

“A friend of mine who lived down the street was, at the time, the executive director for the council on aging,” she recalled. “She ended up taking another job, and so she called me up and pushed me to apply for the position. I thought, what am I going to lose? And then, well, I actually got it.”

It turned out to be such a perfect fit that Ms. Stiles-Tucker stayed at the job for her entire career, retiring last week after 44 years at the helm of the Tisbury Council on Aging.

“I quickly realized that I really enjoyed the work, and that because I am from here I already knew a lot of the seniors well,” she said.

Ms. Stiles-Tucker said she took every opportunity during her long tenure to advocate for seniors’ autonomy, which included providing educational programs and increasing accessibility around the Island. She helped lead the push for construction in 1992 of the council’s headquarters on Pine Tree Road, and developed several programs designed to help seniors navigate on-screen technology, stay physically active and connect with peers.

She also witnessed the Island’s senior population grow significantly over the decades, she said, along with the increased challenges that accompanied that growth.

“We have a lot more people who are living into their 80s, 90s and maybe even to 100, and that comes with more mobility issues, cognitive decline and things like that.”

“You also wouldn’t believe how many seniors moved and came here during the pandemic,” she added.

Ms. Stiles-Tucker admitted that it could be difficult watching her friends at the council grapple with the difficulties of aging. The job often made her think about her own life and what experience she could bring to her own later years.

“It’s really tough to see not only the person struggling, but the people who are their caregivers,” she said. “But at the same time, sometimes I’d look at these folks who are in their 90s, and think, well, I want to make sure that I’m just the same as them.... The Vineyard can really be a beautiful place to age.”

Catie Blake has been chosen as the new executive director of the Tisbury Council on Aging. Ms. Blake has been a fitness teacher at the center, and is someone who Ms. Stiles-Tucker said is exceptionally dedicated and well loved.

As for Ms. Stiles-Tucker, she plans to continue helping with community lunches, transportation needs and other activities at the senior center. She may start volunteering at Island Food Pantry, too.

“Now that I have all this time, I just want to do anything around the Island where I can help,” she said. “The possibilities are endless, and I’m not one for sleeping in much anyway.”