Community Corner
Super Senior Audrey Gyger: 'I'm Drunk on Life'
A woman of many roles—and many costumes—she provides leadership, energy and laughter to seniors in Chicago Heights and surrounding areas.
It’s a vampire. No, it’s Uncle Sam. No, wait! It’s an elf. Do you see an angel?
No, it’s really Audrey Gyger.
Faster than a speeding bullet, Gyger has changed costumes at the Chicago Heights Senior Council of the Park District. Superman has nothing on Audrey, who wears an imaginary "SS"—for Super Senior—on her chest every day.
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Gyger belongs to various groups throughout Chicago Heights. She is Vice President of the Polish Falcons, Director of the Polish American Community Fair, President of Polish Legion American Veterans, President of the Steger VFW and President of the Chicago Heights Senior Council.
Clearly, Gyger is a busy gal. So, which is her favorite organization?
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“I like them all," she says. "How do I pick a favorite? I don’t. I enjoy helping seniors and doing things for them."
Some people are not quite sure how to process the 70-something Gyger, her numerous costumes and her fun-loving personality.
"Some of the seniors think I’m crazy," she says. "But it’s fun. I make them laugh, and that’s the whole point. I don’t care if they laugh at me or with me.”
Gyger has a way of making sure people are enjoying themselves. She says the happiness she brings is contagious, and her own happiness comes naturally.
“If I could do something to help others through some tough times, I will," she explains. "Some people say you have to have drinks at the bar to have fun. I say I don’t. I want to remember what I’ve done. I’m drunk on life.”
If a day contained more than 24 hours, Gyger says she would easily fill those hours by bringing smiles to all around her.
A typical day for Gyger went like this recently:
She attended the Chicago Heights Senior Council meeting at the park district; she took a friend out for her birthday; she brought Bingo tickets to a friend in Steger; she attended the Chicago Heights City Council meeting.
On top of all her other commitments and activities, Gyger bowls at the end of the week.
“I like to bowl on Friday nights with the Chicago Heights Senior Council," she says. "You don’t want to know my average. If I get over one hundred, I’m thrilled. I just have fun. If the other members get three strikes in a row, I do a turkey dance for them. If they get four strikes on a row, I do a hambone dance.”
“She’s our turkey lady,” Wally Holtz chimed in. “She’s a live wire.”
“She is the life of the party," said Pat Holtz, Wally's wife. "Every week she is decorating and wears a costume for every holiday.”
Gyger has planned a Mardi Gras parade for seniors on March 8. Seniors are invited to take part with or without costumes.
For the past 30 years , Gyger has helped provide scholarships through the Polish American Community Fair. Some of the criteria includes having a parent or grandparent of Polish heritage and being active in Polish-related activities. The deadline for application is June 4 (call Vicky Werich at 708-269-0313).
Gyger has a hope and vision for Chicago Heights and its senior citizens.
“I would like to see a senior development in the Heights," she says. "We need it. We don’t have a nice place for our seniors. We want a place that you can live in Chicago Heights, instead of going to some other town. Some of the seniors have been here most of their life and would like to stay here, like myself.
“Life is too short. You've got to live for today.”
If you have a nomination for the next Remarkable Resident, send it to Christopher.Paicely@patch.com.
