Glenmeadow Announces 2026 Age of Excellence Award Honorees
LONGMEADOW — Glenmeadow announced the recipients of the 2026 Age of Excellence Awards: Celebrating Success over 60. These are individuals over age 60 who continue to make a profound impact in their communities. Launched in 2024, the Age of Excellence Awards were created to honor those who exemplify vitality, purpose, and leadership in what is often called the ‘third age’ of life.
With more than 30 nominations submitted this year, the independent selection committee, which is comprised of community leaders from across Western Mass., aimed to celebrate individuals who are redefining aging. The 2026 honorees come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, yet all share a common thread: a commitment to living with intention and contributing meaningfully to the world around them.
“These honorees have each made a lasting impact on their communities,” said Kathy Martin, Glenmeadow president and CEO. “While their stories are all unique, what unites them is a sense of purpose, a commitment to service, and an ability to inspire others to invest in their communities. Their accomplishments offer a powerful perspective on aging, longevity, and what is possible at every stage of life.”
The 2026 honorees are:
• Jean Canosa Albano, assistant director for Public Services at the Springfield City Library and a dedicated community volunteer. She champions education, literacy, civic engagement, and opportunities for families, and is also widely recognized as one of the Springfield Thunderbirds’ most devoted supporters.
• Brooks Fitch. Following a successful career with IBM, he returned to his hometown of Springfield and dedicated himself to service. He recently established the Harrison Fitch Leadership Fund, a youth leadership initiative honoring his father’s legacy as UConn’s first Black basketball player. Fitch is known for his quiet leadership, lasting impact, and unwavering commitment to doing good.
• Denise Jordan, executive director of the Springfield Housing Authority, who previously served for more than a decade as chief of staff to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. A true daughter of Springfield, she is a visible and dedicated community leader with a lifelong passion for service and Western Mass.
• Denise Kelcey. After retiring from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Correctional Industries Business Office, she continued her commitment to public service through the Sheriff’s Office Workforce Initiative. She is a visionary leader dedicated to empowering job seekers, strengthening the local workforce, and expanding economic opportunities.
• Liz O’Gilvie, a visionary leader working to address systemic food insecurity in Springfield’s most vulnerable neighborhoods. Through Gardening the Community and the Springfield Food Policy Council, she advocates fearlessly for local families and works to combat food apartheid across Massachusetts.
• Paul Picknelly, who is a driving force behind downtown Springfield’s revitalization, helping create new opportunities for business, entertainment, and tourism. His commitment to keeping professional hockey in Springfield has also helped the Thunderbirds become a community-centered organization that supports local nonprofits and connects people throughout the region.
• Margaret Toomey, program director at Cancer House of Hope in West Springfield, where she supports individuals and families affected by cancer. A former culinary arts teacher, she also organizes the annual Bikes Fight Cancer charity ride, raising funds for families, treatment programs, and cancer research.
• Gloria Wilson. Drawing upon her four-decade nursing career, she empowers older adults to view aging as a transformative experience. She is a compassionate mentor, advocate, collaborator, and connector known for her integrity and commitment to faith-based health ministry and successful longevity initiatives.
• Brenda Garton-Sjoberg (honorary recipient), a respected Western Mass. leader and former WWLP anchor. Following her broadcasting career, she mentored the next generation as a professor of Communications at Western New England University. She continues to support local organizations and lends her voice and presence to the Age of Excellence Awards as emcee.
The community is invited to celebrate these individuals at the Age of Excellence Awards ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at Twin Hills Country Club from 5 to 7 p.m. This evening will bring together honorees, their families, friends, supporters, and the wider community to honor and celebrate their achievements. To learn more about these honorees and purchase tickets, visit glenmeadow.org.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for the event. Reach out to Lauren Allen at lallen@glenmeadow.org or (413) 355-5906.