Popular Agoura senior dies at 90

KEEP ON SMILIN'- Eva Schindler with Agoura Hills senior programs community services coordinator Xochitl Castillo at the city's Senior Expo in 2007. Agoura Hills' beloved senior advisor and volunteer Eva Schindler died on May 21 at age 90. Schindler was an active member of the Agoura Hills Senior recreation program for over 20 years and served three terms on the city's senior advisory committee.

Schindler's volunteer efforts were awarded with the 1995 Agoura Hills Volunteer of the Year award and the 2005 Los Angeles County Older American of the Year award.

In February, Schindler had celebrated becoming a nonagenarian at the city's Decades and Diamonds birthday celebration honoring 90-year-olds.

Since her arrival in Los Angeles from Sioux City, Iowa in 1985, Schindler has been an inspiration to the community. Although a resident of Woodland Hills, she and her late husband of 59 years, Wilbert, became active in Agoura Hills, where their daughter and grandchildren lived. She has two children, nine grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren

Schindler volunteered with the Las Virgenes Senior Association, which became the Agoura Hills Senior Recreation Program when the association was adopted by the city and given an official home at the recreation center. She worked with the city to create a comprehensive senior program that included social services, health and wellness classes, mature drivers training, excursions, special events and intergenerational activities providing senior involvement within Agoura Hills.

"She was the happiest lady you would ever meet even if you lived 100 lifetimes. Agoura Hills is better off having known her," said Denis Weberm Agoura Hills mayor pro tem.

Schindler's volunteerism and dedication brought seniors together to enjoy many weekly social activities that included canasta, pan, bingo and bridge.

As a member of the "Goldentones," Schindler traveled to various hospitals and sang to individuals in need of a cheerful voice. She was also known as the "Sunshine Lady" for her practice of sending get well, sympathy and birthday cards to all 400 registered members in the senior program.

From Woodland Hills she would take the MTA bus three to four times a week to participate in the senior program and serve as an inspiration to others.

She is best remembered for her favorite, spry reply when asked her age and, after revealing it, saying, "It's only a number."