Jeanne Marciante misses teaching her water aerobics class at La Hacienda Regional Recreation Complex’s sports pool, especially the individuals she met and all the good moments she had.
For 25 years, Marciante, of the Village Del Mar, presided over the class. She began as an assistant in the 1990s and took over the class in 2002 after the former leader passed away.
She had to resign recently due to a cancer diagnosis, but she still remembers the class fondly.
“I love it. This is the hardest part for me, that I can’t go in the water,” Marciante said. “I’ve been doing it for 25 years, and I’ve met a lot of nice people. I’ve lost a lot of nice people.”
Marciante has also taught water aerobics at various Villages locations, including Freedom Pointe, over the years.
Marciante, as the class leader at La Hacienda, had everyone begin by stretching and walking in the water. The group then moved on to the aerobics section of the lesson.
“Everybody gets a really good workout,” she said. “I never thought that doing this was such a great workout in the pool, and it’s easy on your joints. You feel so energized when you’re done.”
Staff at The Villages Recreation and Parks Department were impressed with Marciante’s leadership.
“I’ve known Jeanne for at least 25 years; we kind of arrived in The Villages around the same time,” said Pam Henry, recreation manager of lifestyles, parks and PR. “When the original leader of the water aerobics session at La Hacienda passed on, Jeanne stepped right up to lead in order to keep the activity alive. Jeanne has a passion for providing leadership in water aerobics, providing this lifestyle opportunity. She is enthusiastic, dedicated, has a good sense of humor and a drive to succeed.”
She was able to convince her husband, Carmelo, to join the class for a short time after conducting it for 20 years.
“I liked it. It was good. I enjoyed it,” Carmelo said. “It made me feel good that everybody would listen to her and be kind to her.”
Due to her past colon cancer diagnosis and current brain cancer diagnosis, Jeanne no longer leads the class this year.
She assisted her former assistant in preparing to conduct the lesson.
Her participants have sent her flowers, cards and gifts. The recreation department also sent her a certificate of appreciation, a thank-you note and a pin in recognition of her 25 years of volunteer service.
“Jeanne as a volunteer gave numerous hours and energy providing water exercise for her fellow Villagers. She is deserving of that much more,” Henry said.
The gifts left an impression on Jeanne.
“It makes me feel wonderful,” she said. “I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of people in my life.”
– Attributed Source, The Villages Daily Sun