I first met Roberta Downey, executive director of Eastern Agency on Aging, during my interview for the director of communications position. I was initially struck by her sense of personal style. I immediately started second-guessing my own choice of attire for this important meeting. Gray blazer and black shoes. It was only August. What’s the rule about black shoes and Labor Day?

But as the interview progressed, my impression of her, gleaned from her outward appearance, was superseded by a sense that she was passionate about her work and had a genuine love for the agency. That was four and a half years ago.

Next week, after 25 years of dedicated service to Eastern Agency on Aging, Roberta Downey steps down as executive director. Noelle Merrill, chief financial officer at EAA, has been hired as the new executive director and will take over May 9.

While Downey is “from away” having been born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she has the heart of a true Mainer. She is laid-back and kind, with an easy sense of humor and an Old World work ethic, sometimes missing sleep because of worrying about the state of our state with regard to Maine’s seniors.

Approaching 60 and having spent most of her life in social services, retiring to stop and smell the roses, which she would now have time to grow, seems fitting. And yet those roses will have to wait.

“It struck me that if I was going to try something new, it needed to be now,” she said. “It’s a little scary, but I’m looking forward to it.”

That “something new” is teaching.

“My mother always said I should be a teacher, in part because in the ‘olden days’ it was one of the few professions open to women, but also because it was a good career,” she said. “And I had some teachers in my life that had such a profound impact on me that I hope to be able to, in some way, have the same impact on a child in the future.”

So it’s back to college for a year to obtain a master’s degree in education, and then Mrs. Downey – as she will be undoubtedly be called – will find herself staring into the fresh, young faces of middle school students.

As one would guess, there have been friends and colleagues who’ve asked the question, “Are you insane?” Even her husband raised an eyebrow.

“I tell them that while I can understand the ‘gasp’ factor, I must follow my heart and it is now time to try this,” Downey said. “I am very excited about it.”

It is often said that everything we do helps form the people we become.

“I actually thought about being a teacher, but didn’t have the self-confidence when I was younger to even student-teach,” she added. “I just couldn’t get through it at the time, couldn’t bear the thought of all those people watching me.”

But, oh, how times have changed. Downey now feels comfortable testifying before the Legislature on senior issues, speaking at conferences nationwide and also is at home in front of TV cameras and radio microphones.

Downey leaves a legacy at EAA as a visionary and one who can foresee the important issues that will affect seniors long before they come to light. She also promotes a workplace environment that encourages having fun on the job.

“I decided a long time ago that I wouldn’t want to be the boss in a place [where] I wouldn’t want to work.”

Well said.

So, Roberta, as the clock winds down and this chapter of your life comes to a close, may I just say, on behalf of EAA, thank you. You will be missed.

For more information on EAA, call 941-2865 or log on www.eaaa.org.