Eva Schindler and Xochitl Castillo (Community Services Coordinator of senior programs) at Senior Expo April 2007

Agoura Hills' beloved senior advisor and volunteer Eva Schindler passed away on May 21, 2008 at age 90. Schindler was an integral member of the Agoura Hills Senior Recreation Program for over 20 years and served three terms on the city's Senior Advisory Committee. Her 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, honoring her active leadership in the community. In February, Schindler had celebrated becoming a nonagenarian with Agoura Hills at the city's Decades & 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, Schindler and her late husband of 59 years, Wilbert, became active in Agoura Hills, where their daughter and grandchildren lived. Eva 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 & wellness classes, mature drivers training, excursions, special events and intergenerational activities providing senior involvement within Agoura Hills.

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", sending get well, sympathy, and birthday cards to all 400 registered members in the senior program.

Although the Schindlers' daughter relocated to Texas, Eva continued to be a special part of the Agoura Hills community and enjoyed keeping it updated on her two 2 children, 9 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. 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 revealing it, "...but it's only a number."

It was not just the seniors who enjoyed her happy nature, entertaining stories, and ability to brew superb coffee, say many representatives of Agoura Hills. Schindler made a lasting impression on everyone she came in contact with, community services staff, city council members, and even strangers. In paying tribute to their longtime friend of the community, Mayor Pro Tem, Denis Weber, when closing a recent council meeting in her memory, expressed, "She was the happiest lady you would ever meet even if you lived 100 lifetimes. Agoura Hills is better off having known her."