Longtime Senior Center bookkeeper Pauline Tippetts retires 

Pauline Tippetts is retiring after 27 years of continuous employment as the North Big Horn Senior Citizens Center’s chief bean counter. Taking over her position as “right hand” woman to Senior Center Director Denise Andersen is Melissa Cavender, a recent transplant from Powderly, Texas.Over the years Tippetts tracked complicated grants, set up computerized bookkeeping systems and basically kept the center afloat with her accounting acumen.“Pauline and I have worked very well together for many years,” said Andersen. “From day one I felt we had a lot of mutual respect for one another. I was new to this type of job and I knew, in order to be successful, I would have to surround myself with quality people. I was so thrilled that Pauline was already here when I started to work here and she immediately offered support to me. We bonded almost immediately and have become very good friends.”According to Andersen, Tippetts was instrumental in helping Andersen write grants that continue to fund many of the ongoing programs at the Center.[caption id="attachment_11704" align="alignright" width="300"] Pauline Tippetts (left) is retiring from her position as bookkeeper and right-hand woman to Director Denise Andersen (middle) at the North Big Horn Senior Citizens Center. Melissa Cavender (right) will replace Tippetts as bookkeeper for the Center.
Patti Carpenter photo[/caption]“One thing we always knew is that having a successful senior center and helping the seniors in our community was the right thing to do,” said Andersen. “As a senior center, we’ve had our challenges and I’m sure we always will, but Pauline was always one who believed in what were doing and reminded me that it would work out and it always did.“We’ve collaborated on a lot of big projects, a lot of grant applications. Some of it was uncharted territory for both of us. She has a real gift for always being able to take on new and different tasks. She loves to learn and because of that this job, which was incredibly challenging for both of us, was doable. I’m really proud of the work we’ve done together. It’s been a great collaboration and I’m going to miss her terribly.”Tippetts said she really enjoyed the complexities of the job.“I was always the type of person who would be someplace for three or four years and get bored and move on,” explained Tippetts. “It was never that way here. There has always been something new to learn. Some bookkeeping jobs are really straightforward. This one is not that way at all. It’s very challenging.”Tippetts noted that, though the reporting requirements for the state, the federal government and grants became increasingly complex over the years, it was part of what kept the job interesting.Tippetts said the first order of business in her retirement will be a few short trips to visit family. She said she’s also planning to get away from the cold this winter with a trip to Florida for a few months to visit her sister. Tippetts who is originally from the east said she looks forward to being able to visit family more often.“It’ll be different for me, because I’ve always worked,” said Tippetts.  “I’m going to go to Massachusetts to spend Thanksgiving with my family, which is something I’ve never been able to do because I’ve always been working.”Tippetts said she also plans to do some volunteer work and to attend gatherings at the center.“I’m sure I’ll be doing meals on wheels, since I already know where everyone lives,” said Tippetts. “I’d also like to work on my family history. That’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”Tippetts said she is going to miss her coworkers. Many have also been with the Center for many years. But she plans to be a regular during the popular noontime meal.“It seems like everyone has been here more than 20 years,” said Tippetts. “I’ve been here the longest as far as I know.”She said she’s very confident that Cavender is a very capable person to replace her but said she fully intends to make herself available should there be questions.Cavender and her husband Stan are relocating from Texas. Cavender’s niece Stormy Jameson and other family members live in Lovell.“We are absolutely thrilled to have found her,” said Andersen. “I feel so blessed that she materialized right when we needed her. She has a gift and the work skills that we need.“We are excited about the future with Melissa and excited for Pauline about her future, too. I’ve always said Pauline is as pretty as she is smart and she is a beautiful woman for sure.”Tippetts, who started in June of 1990, said, “I’ve worked (at various businesses) for 44 years now and I’m ready to retire.”She and Cavender are already working side by side during the transition.

By Patti Carpenter