AARP Recognizes One of Their Own

WHITESBORO – More than 60 members of Middle Township’s AARP Chapter 1182 honored founding member Hilda Pike during their Fourth Annual Picnic at the Martin Luther King Center on Sept. 18. Pike passed away on May 26 at the age of 104.
Chapter President Burgess Hamer came up with the idea to rename the picnic the Middle Township AARP Chapter 1182 Hilda Pike Annual Picnic as a way of recognizing Pike’s many contributions to the organization. Hamer spoke of Pike’s generous spirit, a trait that lives on in the chapter’s members.
“A lot of people go out of their way to help each other here,” said Hamer. “And that’s what we do, we help each other. This is our big family.”
Members of the club enjoyed hamburgers, large slices of watermelon, and mouthwatering desserts, as they enjoyed one another’s company and fondly recalled their late friend. Jan Dougherty spoke of a time she and Pike were out to lunch and Pike reached into her handbag and gave the waiter a few of her needlepoint creations. “She was very generous like that,” said Dougherty. “I loved her to death and I was lucky to know her.”
It was needlepoint that gave Pike so much joy. According to her son, Kenneth Pike, of Medford, she was always busy making bookmarks, “JESUS” signs, and picture frames with Bible verses tucked inside. “She would often send those to the troops serving in Iraq,” said Pike’s son. Pike also enjoyed watching and feeding the birds at her home in Court House.
When asked for the secret to such a long and happy life, Pike’s son said the answer was simple. “She never got angry, she avoided stress, and she loved the Lord.”
Burgess and AARP Cape May County Coordinator Suzanne Towey Pelkaus presented Pike’s son with a plaque and medallion honoring Pike’s “outstanding service and dedication.” Pike’s son thanked the chapter for all the honors they’ve bestowed upon his mother. “I know she’s looking down from Heaven and smiling down on all of you today,” he said.