Norwich renames senior center to honor former director

NORWICH — The Rose City Senior Center in Norwich officially became the Jan A. Stewart Rose City Senior Center on Monday, to honor a former director. The change was reflected on the signs outside and on a biographical plaque inside.

Jan Stewart started to work for the Norwich Senior Center in 1975, then a one-room storefront on Main Street. After she became the Senior Affairs director in 1977, she first moved it to the Buckingham Memorial Building, where it was until 1994, when the current Mahan Drive facility, which she advocated for, opened.

Stewart retired in 2000, but remained active in civic life in Norwich, including serving as the past president of the Women’s City Club of Norwich. She passed away on Dec. 1, 2021, at age 84.

Jan Stewart’s son Kevin Stewart was present to accept the honors. He said his mother would have been humbled to accept the honor.

“In her mind, it was never work,” he said. “Every time she talked about this place, there was a smile on her face.”