Throwback Thursday: AFSCME Retiree Member Carol Ann Loehndorf

Meet Carol Ann Loehndorf. After 40 years working for the state of Florida, she’s making the most out of retirement. For our latest Throwback Thursday profile, we talked to Carol Ann about how she stays active with her family and her union and about her reflections on a career spent serving her community.

Q. What job did you do while working? For how long did you do it?

I was a social worker for 40 years for the state of Florida’s Department of Children and Families.

Q. What do you miss most about working?

The people – the people I worked with and the people I served. There were a lot of families with serious problems that needed help. It was incredibly gratifying when things worked out—when kids could be reunited with their families, for instance. And there were true successes.

Q. What did being a working member of AFSCME mean to you?

Being a member of AFSCME gave me a great sense of protection. You knew you could always rely on your union if there were problems. I couldn’t understand why everybody wouldn’t be a member.

Q. What does having a secure retirement allow you to do now?

A secure retirement allows me to continue living at the same comfort level that I did when I was working. I’m able to continue with my life.

Also, I was very thankful I had my pension when I retired because my son, John, was diagnosed with terminal cancer around that time. He was only 34. And because of my pension, I was able to take care of him and do the things I needed to do throughout that period. I was able to be there for him.

Q. What do you enjoy most about retirement? What is your favorite thing to do?

I pretty much like everything I do! I enjoy working with AFSCME Retirees. I’m very active in the Democratic Party. I was chair of the Palm Beach County Democratic Executive Committee. I’m still active in that and in the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans.

Of course, I enjoy being with my family and my great-great nieces and nephews. And I enjoy my animals a lot. I have three dogs and three cats. Trust me, if I didn’t have a secure retirement, I wouldn’t be able to take care of my pets because they’re expensive! I also spend time with close friends and have an active social life.