Maryke Burgess said the Ken Baxter Community Center is the heart of Marysville.
Burgess is the center of the heart.
“She is the jewel of the Ken Baxter Center,” said Debbie Roscoe, of Eugenie Handmade Soaps, which sells products at shows at the center. “She is the most accommodating, the most gracious and most cheerful person I have dealt with.
“She even offers to pour your coffee,” Roscoe said. “‘How do you like it? Cream? Sugar?’”
A great communicator, Maryke (pronounced ma-ray-kaw) Burgess, a city of Marysville employee who is the center’s coordinator, responds quickly to emails or phone calls.
“When setting up for a show, she is very willing to work with any needs you have, going out of her way to help,” Roscoe said. “She’ll watch your booth if you leave for a few minutes. I hope they appreciate her.”
Mary-Anne Grafton, Lynnwood Senior Center supervisor, said Burgess was on the hiring committee when she was interviewed for her job. They see one another at meetings for the Snohomish County Council on Aging.
“I trust her experience, her perspective and her recommendations,” Grafton said. “I am so grateful that Maryke is part of the Snohomish County Senior Center community.”
Grafton said Burgess is smart, funny, compassionate and sensible.
“They are lucky to have her at Ken Baxter Community Center,” Grafton said.
Burgess graduated from Eastern Washington University in 1994 with a degree in recreation management. She interned with the city of Enumclaw doing community programming and special events. She worked for the city of Sumner and coordinated senior recreational activities in Redmond.
“In 2002, I was hired by Marysville Parks and Recreation to be the recreation coordinator at the Ken Baxter Community Center,” she said. “My favorite part about my job is working with people in the community and networking with people who make a difference.”
Burgess develops activities and programs for all ages in Marysville.
“It’s been great coming up with workshop classes such as meditation, blogging and small business classes,” Burgess said. “It’s what people are asking for and, with the economy being as it is, people are starting their own businesses and also trying find ways to deal with stress in a positive way.”
An Order Up Gift Show is planned for 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the center, 514 Delta Ave. in Marysville. More than 25 folks will be on hand selling products from businesses such as Pampered Chef, Mary Kay and Cookie Lee.
If your significant other is more the shopper, Burgess says there will be seating for those not tempted by Avon or Miche Bags.
Classes are offered at the center including marketing, how to sell at craft shows and through Etsy, an online site for handmade goods.
Burgess, who lives in Lake Stevens, said her job is fun because of her supervisor, Tara Mizell, recreation services manager, and Marysville Parks and Recreation director Jim Ballew.
“They are both kind, caring and make coming to work a pleasure each day,” Burgess said.
Two years ago, Burgess received a Paul Harris Award from the Marysville Noon Rotary. She was nominated by Debra Loughrey-Johnson, director of the Carl Gipson Senior Center of Everett. A Paul Harris award is given for promoting better understanding and friendly relations among people around the world.
“Maryke truly embodies this friendly attitude,” Loughrey- Johnson said. “She is a very fine person and she loves dogs. How can you go wrong with those attributes?”
Burgess does dote on her Australian shepherd, Rosie. They like to walk where there are waterfront views. Burgess is attracted to older neighborhoods with great architecture. She likes soy lattes, road trips, the Oregon Coast, kayaking, movies and visiting friends.
Janet Myer became friends with Burgess when she taught art classes at the center.
“Her smile radiates her thoughtful and caring spirit,” Myer said. “She has a heart full of love and compassion.”
Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451; oharran@heraldnet.com.
Gift show
An Order Up Gift Show is planned for 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Ken Baxter Community Center, 514 Delta Ave. in Marysville.
More than 25 people will be on hand with products from businesses such as the Pampered Chef, Mary Kay and Cookie Lee.
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