The Shores Recognizes Employee for 45 Years of Service

In the current era of mergers, buy-outs, downsizing and labor trends leading to job insecurity, 45-year tenure with the same organization warrants celebration. Sylvia Ann Duncan, an associate at and Somers Point resident, marked that occasion on Feb. 27. 

Born in Mullins, SC, Sylvia and her family relocated to Ocean City in 1957. She began working as a housekeeper for two local hotels. United Methodist Homes opened The Shores at Wesley Manor (then named Wesley Manor) in 1963 and she secured employment there four years later. From 1967 until 1975 Sylvia fashioned homemade biscuits, desserts and other delights as the prep cook. In addition to the main building, at that time residents also occupied 15 double cottages on the property, Sylvia recalls.

Although they were not acquainted, Thomas Duncan, also of South Carolina, knew of Sylvia and located her in New Jersey. They met in 1963 and were married the following year. Now wed for 47 years, the couple raised two sons and has four grandchildren. Sylvia used to play Bingo and swing dance in her younger days.

Sweet potato pie and Sylvia go together like bread and butter. People at The Shores agree that although she loves to make all kinds of desserts, her famous sweet potato pie wins rave reviews. Associates relish the days she brings in this culinary specialty.

In 1975 Sylvia transitioned from prep cook to the wait staff and continues in that role today. One of her style trademarks includes wearing pins, sometimes many at once, from her extensive collection. They dot her apron and shirt imparting the holiday, occasion, season, or just plain whimsy.

Over the course of 45 years, she has assisted two generations of many families, among these, residents Reba Parker and Nancy Gilbert Rhodes and their mothers before them.

Over these years, she has had many supervisors. In the early 1990’s the Homes transitioned from operating its own dining services to the current industry standard of contracting meals to a professional food service company. “I have observed the change to better variety, more choices and higher quality meals,” affirms Sylvia.

Jean Monteith, dining services director and Sylvia’s supervisor for the last 12 years, praises her value. The Shores’ Associate Resources Director RoseMarie Fiscus notes, “As the mother-trainer of all wait staff, if she doesn’t know the answer to a question, no one else does.”

In the course of her job, Sylvia has learned some important lessons: how to interact with all types of people, to show no partiality, and to conduct oneself in a professional manner. Remarkably, after 45 years, she’s not ready for full retirement. Beginning in April, she plans to switch to part-time status and work the day shift, three days a week.

Resident Dorothy Crawshaw declares, “There’s only one Sylvia.”

United Methodist Homes is a not-for-profit organization affiliated in ministry with the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.  The mission of the United Methodist Homes is to provide quality and caring services to senior men and women in a Christian community. With over 100 years of continuous operation, the organization has grown to ten communities offering independent, residential, assisted-living, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, memory support, respite, and hospice to persons of all faith backgrounds. For additional information, call Jessica Stewart at 609-399-8505.

— By Janet M. Carrato, communications director at The Shores at Wesley Manor