Four Remarkable Stories from Marlborough's Senior Center

WMCT-TV's Pop-Up Podcast captures the rich tapestry of life experiences in our community

Last week, our Pop-Up Podcast team visited the Marlborough Senior Center to record what became one of our most moving episodes to date. Hosts Ryan and Jack sat down with four remarkable individuals, each carrying stories that span continents and decades—exactly the kind of authentic voices that make our community special.

A Journey from Egypt to Massachusetts

Josette Kaplan's story begins in Egypt, where she was born into what she describes as a very modern, cosmopolitan world. At just nine and a half years old, she became a refugee when political changes forced her family to flee. After six months in France waiting for a visa, they arrived in America—welcomed, as she notes, unlike the experience many refugees face today.

Sponsored by a Jewish organization, Josette's family first settled in Denver, Colorado, before she eventually made her way to Massachusetts through marriage and education. Now a 20-year Marlborough resident, she's become a pillar of the senior center community, participating in chair yoga, strength and balance classes, and book clubs while serving as chair of a writing club through the Worcester Institute for Senior Education.

Her advice to young people? "Continue learning as long as you can. Be open-minded, be accepting of different people from all over the world, even if they look different, even if they talk differently."

From Digital Equipment to Global Adventures

Pat Moldy represents the tech boom era of Massachusetts, having worked 28 years at Digital Equipment Corporation before the division moved to India. She then spent 13 years at Keith Tech in Framingham before retiring—a career that spanned the transformation of the tech industry.

But it's Pat's adventurous spirit that truly shines. She and her husband are avid travelers, with China being her most memorable destination. Their trip took them near Wuhan just before the pandemic, and Pat suspects they may have encountered COVID-19 there before it was widely known. Despite the exhausting pace of guided tours, she found the experience "fabulous."

Pat's bucket list still includes Greece, though she worries about the physical demands of the hilly terrain. Her advice to college students is simple but profound: "Make sure you finish because it's very important to have your college. Even if you go into something not your major, that degree just opens a lot of doors."

A Life Shaped by Family

Mo (short for Moren) moved to Massachusetts from Connecticut about 10 years ago when her entire department relocated. At 74, she continues working at Quest Diagnostics, where she processes samples in the cytology department—a career that began with on-the-job training decades ago in Connecticut.

When asked about family influences, Mo immediately thought of her grandmother, who held their family together after her parents' divorce. "She taught me how to bake and how to sew and you know she was really a great lady," Mo shared. The impact was so profound that Mo named her first daughter after her grandmother, changing the spelling from Laura to Lorrie.

Now a grandmother herself, Mo emphasizes the importance of education and treating others with kindness. Her no-nonsense wisdom includes practical advice about staying focused and being self-sufficient.

Bearing Witness to History

Perhaps the most powerful story comes from Zara, a first-generation American whose Armenian parents survived the 1915 genocide. Born in Bellevue Hospital in New York City, Zara carries the profound responsibility of preserving her family's testimony.

Her mother's survival story is harrowing: at 14 or 15, she witnessed the systematic elimination of Armenian men in her village, then endured forced marches without food or water. American missionaries eventually rescued her, leading to work as a governess in Egypt, where she met Zara's father—himself a World War I veteran who had returned to help genocide survivors.

Growing up in New York, Zara was immersed in Armenian culture through food and traditions. Her mother would travel across the city to buy lamb for traditional dishes like lamajoun (meat pie), grinding ingredients by hand with her daughters' help. These recipes and memories connect Zara to a heritage nearly lost to genocide.

Now living in Marlborough after meeting her husband in Newport, Zara finds joy in simple pleasures—classic movies, the senior center's programs, and the ability to remain active and independent. Her pride in survival and resilience echoes through generations.

Why These Stories Matter

Each conversation reveals threads that weave through Marlborough's community fabric: the importance of education, the value of remaining curious and engaged, and the strength found in preserving family stories and cultural traditions. These aren't just individual narratives—they're chapters in the larger story of how America has been shaped by people seeking better lives, facing challenges with resilience, and finding ways to give back to their communities.

The senior center itself emerges as a vital community hub, providing not just activities but a space for connection, learning, and mutual support. From chair yoga to book clubs, from travel stories to family histories, it's where life experiences are shared and wisdom is passed down.

WMCT-TV's Pop-Up Podcast visits different locations throughout Marlborough each month, capturing the stories that make our community unique. If you have a story to share or know someone who does, we'd love to hear from you. Find more episodes and local content at wmct-tv.com and on Facebook.