Many years ago, Marj Creswell’s father advised her, “‘Never take a job that pays, because some girl needs it.”
For much of her life, Creswell followed that advice, though she admitted being paid very modestly at times, for some employment.
On Wednesday, Creswell, 96, of White Oak Village, Tryon, retired after 21 years of volunteer work at Thermal Belt Habitat Restore, Landrum, where she worked every Friday.  “I’m very proud (to work at Habitat Restore),” Creswell remarked. “They do a good job.”
However, this bright, alert individual still volunteers two days a week at the visitor center in Tryon.
Creswell, a recipient of the national Second Wind volunteer award, is a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. When her late husband, Bob, retired after his successful career as a partner with his brother in an advertising business they built, the couple moved to Tryon, on the strength of knowing one person there.
Soon after they built a home on Hogback Mountain Road, she and Bob were part of a group of sixteen couples who played golf (Creswell still follows the career of Iowa native and pro golfer Zach Johnson, and voices her encouragement and advice to him), and enjoyed other activities together.
“I played golf well enough that my husband played with me,” Creswell proudly recalled. “We had a lovely life.” Five autumns in a row, Creswell said, she and Bob played golf at Broadmore, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where they hired a caddy and walked the eighteen holes. “Life was lovely.”
During those years, Creswell also volunteered. For the past ten years, she worked alongside Habitat Restore employee Virginia Davis, who is still there serving the public.
At Habitat Restore, Creswell described herself as “just a clerk. Just like everyone else.” “It (working there) was fun,” said Creswell. “ A lot of people would come in on Fridays, when Virginia and I were there.” One reason she enjoyed the experience: “When you’re helping others, you’re helping yourself.”
It did not hurt that her peers at Habitat Restore “are good people to work with here. They’re very nice to me.” At times, Creswell recalled, she worked the store with just one other person. “I don’t know how we did it.”
Creswell already has plans for Fridays, especially now that she no longer drives. That’s the day the bus from White Oak Village takes residents shopping at local supermarkets. “At least I stopped driving in time (only two years ago), before I hit something,” she said.
Habitat Restore personnel are looking for volunteers, especially now that Creswell has left a large gap to fill. Habitat Restore (Tom Connell Habitat For Humanity Retail Store) is located at 132 North Trade Street Landrum. It’s open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 to 5, and Saturdays from 10 to 4. Phone is 864 457 2666. Call for donations and pickups.
Does Creswell have any non-golfing advice for others?
Regarding becoming younger, she admits, “There’s a way to do it, but I’ve forgotten how.” Others might gently disagree. “Life is full of fun,” Creswell reminds others. “Enjoy the ride.”