Longtime Support Connection Counselor Retires

YORKTOWN, N.Y.— Longtime Support Connection peer counselor Marlene Stager retired last week. For decades, the Yorktown-based organization has offered free counseling and more for women fighting breast and gynecological cancers, and Stager has been involved for more than half of the organization’s 30 years in operation.

Stager—a breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed in 1998— provided one-on-one counseling and support and facilitated support groups. She was also responsible for managing our Support Connection’s Resource Directory (including research and review of all community resources), helped plan the organization’s annual Celebrate Life Day, and worked on special projects the annual services survey.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER

“Marlene’s nearly 16 years of dedicated service—three-plus years as a volunteer support group facilitator and 12 years on the staff—has made a positive difference in countless numbers of lives,” the organization said in a Facebook post announcing her retirement.”Marlene’s impact on the people she served and her contributions to Support Connection will be everlasting. Whatever Marlene does, she puts her heart and soul into doing her best.”

Last week, the Support Connection staff celebrated Stager with a retirement luncheon.

“Although she will be greatly missed we are happy that she is now embarking on the next chapter in her life and wish her the best!” the Facebook post said. Executive Director Katerine Quinn called Stager “truly a gift.”

“In her time as a counselor at Support Connection, Marlene offered support and guidance to more than 3,000 women and logged over 13,000 counseling sessions with these women,” Quinn said.  “Connecting with Marlene was a gift to all blessed to know her. She took her own experience with cancer to help people find their inner strength, giving them hope. Her empathetic counseling sent a clear message to each person that they were not alone in their journey. Marlene was the anchor in a storm for many. Along with those she helped, Support Connection is eternally grateful to her.”

DOWNLOAD THE FREE TAPINTO APP FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS. AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE STORE AND THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE .

Support Connection will hold its 30th annual Support-a-Walk fundraiser at FDR Park on Sunday, Oct. 6, beginning at 9 a.m. Learn more at supportconnection.org.

For more local news, visit TAPinto.net