A secret giver can be thanked for this story.
All eyes were on Bob and Pearl Seymour at the Seymour Center on Dec. 10 when a pastel painting was unveiled honoring the active couple whose name adorns the Orange County senior center on Homestead Road. Plenty of pleasure has filled the Seymour Center since its opening in 2007, but it was a particular thrill for those who helped make it happen to be there to celebrate again with the Seymours and to recognize an artist who will have her work displayed there for as long as the building stands.
Rebecca Margolese-Malin, an artist and art instructor who has lived in Chapel Hill for 32 years, admits that chutzpah started her on this journey about a year ago when she wanted to apply for a job at the Seymour Center. She said that about 26 years ago, she had worked on a project with Bob Seymour while she was president of the ACLU (with Ellie Kinnaird as vice president).
“I thought that a reference from him would help,†so she called him. “He said, ‘You know, we haven’t worked together in a long time. Why don’t we meet for coffee?’ So we met, but I had already decided not to use him as a reference.â€
She started her part-time job as evening facility manager in March.
When Margolese-Malin told a good friend about the meeting, the friend, who highly regards the Seymours, suggested commissioning her to paint their portrait for the center.
Margolese-Malin checked with Janice Tyler, the Orange County Senior Centers’ administrator, who checked with Jerry Passmore, director of the Department on Aging. Both liked the idea, so in February Margolese-Malin went to the Carol Woods apartment of Bob and Pearl, where she took photos.
“Bob came out in his favorite jacket and tie but said he should change the tie because it would be too hard to paint,†she said. But Margolese-Malin liked the tie that is filled with rows of religious depictions – so appropriate for the long-time pastor (and pastor emeritus) of Binkley Baptist Church. The details of the tie drew comments from admirers of the painting at its unveiling.
“The tie is so intricate — and where the knot is, the reflection — it’s unbelievable,†said Elaine Jerome, a retired nurse and an artist. “Her portraitures are really just unbelievable.â€
Nerys Levy, another artist in attendance, said, “A study like this captures the soul and shows the intimate relationship between the artist and the Seymours.â€
“The Seymours are such wonderful people — so gentle and giving,†Margolese-Malin said. “It’s an honor to even know them, let alone paint them.â€
She truly caught the fire within Bob and the calm within Pearl that guided them in their years of service, which led the Orange County Board of Commissioners to name the new senior center after them.
As emcee, Dean Linke introduced former chair of the board of commissioners Barry Jacobs – a prolific author of books about ACC basketball) – calling Jacobs possibly the only person in attendance with more knowledge of Tar Heel basketball than Pearl, well known for her enthusiasm.
Jacobs thanked the Seymours for their service to the county, not only in efforts for seniors but for their decades of duty at Binkley Baptist (Pearl also played the organ), creation of the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service and involvement “in many important things affecting our community.â€
Former chair and, until recently, longtime Orange County Commissioner Moses Carey Jr. commented on the anomaly of naming a building after people who are still living.
“It’s a special occasion having a building named after you while you’re alive and can appreciate it. They’re not through yet,†Carey said, noting that he has observed Bob Seymour spending his retirement as “an energizer bunny,†lamenting that such energy had as yet eluded him in his own recent retirement. “I’m a miserable failure at retirement, but I hope to be an energizer bunny soon.â€
Lee Pavao made it clear that he was not the portrait’s anonymous donor (a certain “bunny†had already grilled him about it) before describing how he had been a member of a committee chaired by Bob some 20 years ago addressing the needs of seniors in the community, which included creating a senior center. After the meeting, the two men spoke privately for the first time and Bob gave Pavao the word by which Pavao came to identify him.
Pavao recalled asking Seymour if he really thought they could pull off creating a center.
Bob Seymour’s answer: Absolutely!
“Bob had a vision, enthusiasm, dedication,†said Pavao, “and boy is he persuasive!â€
When the first space for a senior center was outgrown, Bob Seymour was a leader of the pack driving for a new one. Still humbled by the choice to name it after him and Pearl, he said, “I find it easier to call it the Senior Center.â€
In this season of angels and secret givers, more than painting commissions have been given. Several nonprofits have reported that anonymous givers have made contributions to their coffers, leading me to urge anyone with the wherewithal to consider the joy of giving to any of the agencies in our area that provide lifelines for many with needs. No matter how or how much we give, gifts to our nonprofits will help people stay employed and provide a place for meeting greater needs down the line.
What a good time to remember these words by Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.â€
Thinking and acting beyond ourselves makes for the happiest holiday — have yourself one!
Contact Valarie Schwartz at 923-3746 or valariekays [AT] mac.com.