Anita Hockett: 'Follow Your Passion'

Anita Hockett was just looking for something to do in her retirement when she began volunteering with Volunteers in Medicine 17 years ago.

Today, Hockett, 79, is clinical director of the health clinic that provides care to low-income residents of St. Charles County. The group, which has an entirely volunteer staff, helps nearly 80 people each week who would otherwise rely on the emergency room for their care.

Hockett was recently recognized for her work as an "ageless-St. Louisan" by St. Andrew's Resources for Seniors System. The group will honor 19 older adults, all older than 75, who are redefining the image for retirement. See a full list of honorees.

"When you retire, first it's kind of like a vacation and then you start to think, 'Well, what am I going to do with the rest of my life?'" Hockett said. "It's a kind of a wilderness experience, you try different things."

Hockett and three other volunteers started Volunteers in Medicine in the lower level of the Salvation Army in St. Charles. They worked to find funding to provide free medication for patients.

These days there are more than 60 volunteers who serve some 80 people over the course of the week and more than 4,000 over the course of a year. The organization moved to a much bigger location in a strip mall on South Duchesne in 2012.

Hockett does a bit of everything as clinical director, from sorting faxes to scheduling volunteers to dealing with a leaking roof.

"I just feel really lucky," she said, adding that she enjoys working with the other nurses, doctors and volunteers.

Hockett said retirees should really consider what their passion is and follow that.

"If you're looking for something to do to fill a space in life, you may have a hard time finding antyhing you enjoy," she said. "If you don't find it rewarding, it takes effort. I think you really need to do what your passion is and fill your space with that."

As for Hockett, she expects to be doing the same thing 10 years from now.

"Why would I want to be doing anything else?," she said.