All the fun stuff!

One small tile... one BIG community masterpiece! 💙

Join us for our Color of Shade Tile Mural Project at the Sierra Senior Center and become part of a permanent work of art that will brighten our park for years to come.

No artistic experience? Perfect! This project is designed for everyone. You'll paint your own 4" x 4" tile, and we'll combine every unique design into one stunning mural celebrating creativity, friendship, and community.

✨ Just $15 per tile
🎨 All painting supplies are provided
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages are welcome
❤️ Every tile helps support the Sierra Senior Center

Whether you paint a flower, butterfly, lighthouse, tree, heart, or create your own design, your artwork will become a lasting piece of something much bigger than yourself.

📅 Wednesday, July 22
🕛 12:00 PM
📍 Sierra Senior Center
💵 Cash Only

Come create, connect, and leave your mark on our community—one colorful tile at a time!

Reserve your seat today by calling (916) 812-7024. We can't wait to see what you create! 🌻🖌️💜

Born June 29, 1937, in Durango, California, Loyce Gilmore has spent a

lifetime collecting memories, friendships, adventures, and stories that

could fill a book.

When Loyce was just three years old, her family moved to Sandpoint,

Idaho, where she grew up and attended elementary and junior high

school before graduating from Sandpoint Senior High. During her school

years, she was involved in the FHA (Future Homemakers of America)

and the Pep Club. At just 18 years old, Loyce began her working career

as a secretary for the manager of Idaho First National Bank. She was

especially talented at typing and shorthand. Her working years would

take her to several different jobs, including Bank of America in

Oakhurst and Mariposa, Montgomery Ward in Mariposa, and teaching

first aid for 10 years. She also volunteered for several years at John C.

Fremont Hospital in Mariposa simply because she enjoyed helping others.

Loyce moved to Oakhurst in 1960, where she would make her home

and build a wonderful life. She was married to Jerry Gilmore for 53

wonderful years, til Jerry passed away. Together, they traveled

extensively in their motor home, seeing many places and making

memories along the way. After Jerry’s passing, Loyce was reunited with

her high school sweetheart, Bill. They spent 11 years together until his

passing. For five of those years, they lived in a motor home and traveled

wherever they wanted to go. They enjoyed spending winters in Yuma

and summers in Washington, where they would catch shrimp and crab.

Over the years, Loyce has traveled to Mexico, Canada, and the Virgin

Islands, but when asked about her favorite destination, there was no

hesitation: Hawaii. She says Hawaii is the most beautiful place she has

ever visited.

Family, however, holds an especially treasured place in Loyce’s heart.

She has two daughters, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren,

and one great-great-grandchild. Her daughters live locally, and she

enjoys seeing her grandchildren often, although she admits she would

love to see them even more. Her grandchildren range in age from 3 and

a half to 44 years old. When asked what she has enjoyed most

throughout her lifetime, Loyce didn’t hesitate: her grandchildren. As she

put it, “They truly do teach you how to love.”

Loyce has plenty of hobbies to keep her busy. She enjoys reading,

knitting dishrags, playing pinochle, and visiting the casino. And if she’s

lucky, you just might find her sitting at a penny machine where she

once won $2,000! She also enjoys spending time with her friend Fern,

whom she has known for four years. The two enjoy going places

together and, most importantly, “acting silly” together.

When it comes to relaxing, Loyce prefers a comfortable chair and a

good Western novel. Her favorite season is fall, and it’s easy to

understand why. She loves watching the trees change colors and says

trees are her favorite thing in the whole world. She also has a fondness

for flags and pastures sprinklers. To each his own, right?

One of her favorite places anywhere is Garden of the Gods in Colorado

Springs. She has visited many times and especially enjoys the beautiful

sandstone rock formations.

Loyce has also been a longtime part of the Senior Center community.

She has been attending the exercise class at the Center for 10 years

and says she especially enjoys being around all of the good people there.

Some of Loyce’s most precious possessions are two childhood treasures

that have stayed with her for decades. She still has a doll that is now

84 years old and a panda bear that is 83 years old. The doll has a

special place sitting in her chair, while the panda bear rests on her bed.

The bear spent more than 60 years packed away in a chest before

Loyce finally brought it out and had it professionally cleaned.

Loyce’s favorite color is blue, and she certainly isn’t shy about showing

it. Most of her clothing is blue, and she loves wearing it.

When asked what word or phrase she says most often, Loyce burst out

laughing and answered, “For God’s sake!” She says it pretty much

covers everything—and anyone who knows Loyce can probably imagine

the smile that goes along with it.

At the heart of Loyce’s story is a life filled with love, laughter, family,

adventure, friendships, and an appreciation for the simple things. From

traveling across the country in a motor home to spending time with her

grandchildren, from reading Westerns to laughing with a good friend,

Loyce has embraced life in her own wonderfully spirited way. After 89

years, Loyce has certainly gathered plenty of stories and it sounds like

she’s not finished making them yet! So when you see Loyce, wish her

luck at the casino and give her a quick wave hello.

Welcome to Sierra Senior Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of senior citizens in the Eastern Madera County area. Our mission is to organize and promote education, nutrition, health, and overall well-being for our cherished community of seniors.

We go beyond just fostering well-being; we strive to create bonds of friendship, goodwill, and mutual understanding among our members, extending these values to all seniors in the region. At the heart of our mission is the commitment to open communication and the sharing of experiences.

As active community contributors, we take a keen interest in the civic, cultural, and social welfare of our area. Sierra Senior Center serves as a platform for open discussions on matters of public interest, creating an inclusive space for voices to be heard.

Join us in our journey to build a thriving community where every senior citizen can flourish, connect, and enjoy the richness of life. Welcome to Sierra Senior Center – where every moment matters!

 Navigating to Sierra Senior Center is a breeze! Once you spot the Oakhurst Community Center, head left at their entrance onto Cinder Lane. Follow the road along the parking lot and a dirt parking area. As you continue, a Baseball Field will appear on your right, and voila – our entrance is right in front of you. No need for detours; just follow these simple directions, and you'll be with us in no time! And, to make things even easier, we've included a map for you. See you soon!