by Joseph H. RADDER
Cleta Nunn is one of those fortunate people for whom the word “retirement”
simply means moving on to a new set of activities and a changed lifestyle. On December 29
she retired as Director of Senior Affairs for the City of Buffalo—but she’s
already begun to address a new agenda for this next chapter in a very distinguished life.
Besides enjoying her grandchildren, she will continue as an advisor for the Bailey-Delevan
Board of Directors. She will also continue writing for Living Prime Time (something she
dearly loves) and she’ll be working with the Broadway/ Fillmore Anti-Task Force.
As if so much activity weren’t enough for a “retired” person, Cleta is also
part owner of Dan’s Delivery Service and she continues to be a dedicated matriarch to
a large family of four grown children. She has a strong loving family and they all share
the desire to help others.
Cleta is excited about the future for older people, reminding us that the fastest-growing
segment of America’s population is age 85-100. “It’s miraculous,” she
said, “what health care, good nutrition, exercise and medicine have done to
accomplish this.” Cleta’s father and grandfather were both doctors in Oklahoma.
“People were old at age 48 in those days,” she says. “Now, it’s not
unusual to live twice as long.”
Wellness is at the center of Cleta Nunn’s life. About four years ago she joined Phil
Haberstro and helped develop a program called Golden Years 2000 Plus, a special wellness
program run jointly by the senior centers and the Wellness Institute of Greater Buffalo.
She worked with Wellness Institute Director Phil Haberstro in this endeavor, to develop a
complete package of exercise, nutrition and health care. “Phil Haberstro is the most
dedicated person I know. He’s sincerely committed to his goal: a healthier
community,” Cleta commented.
In 1971 she joined the Erie County Health Department as a Health Administrator. In 1977
she joined the city’s senior services division at the Holling Senior Center. In 1980
she began a 12 year tenure as the director of the Schiller Park Center.. After a short
stay at the Tosh Collins Senior Center in South Buffalo, Mayor Anthony Masiello asked her
to become the city’s Director of Senior Affairs. Since then she has had a wonderful
working relationship with the mayor and his great staff.
If there is a classic example of being Forever Young and Active, it’s Cleta Nunn.
She’s living proof that the key to happier, healthier senior years is keeping active.
“It’s most important to do something worthwhile every day,” she says.
It’s clear that Cleta has had many worthwhile accomplishments in her career and will
continue to do so in her private life.
Joseph H. Radder is a freelance writer.