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Village Neighbors
Helping residents over 60 in Shutesbury, Leverett, Wendell, and New Salem stay connected and age independently at home.
HomeBoard of Directors
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Jeannette Stockton - President

Shutesbury


After 15 years or so of summer residency, former New Yorker Jeannette Stockton is now a full time resident of Shutesbury with her husband Glenn, also a volunteer and member of VN. As a 31 year veteran middle/ high art teacher, a staff developer for teachers, and a several times a week yoga teacher in her former life, she decided to join Village Neighbors as a volunteer to get helpfully involved in her new community. She is now also busy relearning piano, doing and teaching yoga, making art and learning to speak Spanish. 


Pictured with Jeannette is Glenn Stockton, a VN volunteer with the Small Home Repairs team.

Genie Casey - Vice President

New Salem


Genie Casey has lived in New Salem with her husband, Brian for 38 years. A retired teacher from Leverett Elementary School, she joined Village Neighbors as a founding member in 2016 after learning of the group's hopes of providing neighborly help to older adults in our 4 towns.

She enjoys the behind the scenes organizational jobs of making Village Neighbors work. When she is not working for VN, Genie enjoys gardening and traveling with Brian. Birding, biking and taking long walks are some of the ways she enjoys the beautiful area in which we live.

Genie Casey
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Mary Anne Sarafin  Treasurer

Shutesbury


I have lived with my husband Rick in Shutesbury for over 20 years. Having retired from the Controller’s Office at the University of MA after 18 years, I decided to join Village Neighbors as a volunteer. I am presently a board member and work as an assistant to Don Stone the Accountant, as well as working with Public Relations. I enjoy swimming, knitting, postcrossing and working with people. 


Barbara Bodzin - Clerk

Leverett

I have lived in Leverett with my husband Larry for the past 37 years. When I retired in 2023 from my position as Executive Director of LifePath, I enthusiastically joined the board of directors of VillageNeighbors. Being a part of Village Neighbors has enabled me to shift my passion to more grassroots volunteer efforts in supporting the independence and quality of life of older adults.  

Barbara Bodzin
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Jera Susan Jamison

Leverett

Jera and her husband have lived in Leverett for over 20 years. Her husband's family has lived in Leverett for over 3 generations. She is currently retired after a long career in human services with positions ranging from Behavioral Health Clinician to Executive Director. She has an A.A degree in Business Administration, a B.A degree in Political Philosophy and Legal Sociology and a M.S. degree in Social Work, specializing in children and families. She is excited to be able to utilize her experiences to support elders in the community. 

Steve Rice

Shutesbury


Steve Rice is a 20-year resident of Shutesbury where he lives with his wife, Susan, and their dog, Melody.  Previously he and his wife established an alpaca farm in Shutesbury that was at one time home to over 30 alpacas and a farm store selling alpaca garments.  Steve is active on the Shutesbury Recycling and Solid Waste Committee and an active member of the UU Society in Amherst. He retired from a career as a food scientist at Frito-Lay in Dallas, TX.  Steve hopes to bring his experiences to help guide Village Neighbors in its efforts to build and support this community.

Steve Rice

Nancy Spittle

Wendell

Martha Favre

Shutesbury