LEWISTON – She began her career in the 1960s, organizing activity programs for seniors through the Lewiston Recreation Department.

Eloise M. O’Neill went on to become executive director of SeniorsPlus, a tri-county agency that helps older adults maintain independence, dignity and quality of life.

She saw the agency through 25 years of success and now she’s ready for a personal change. O’Neill resigned earlier this month with plans to complete her education.

“It is time for me to reinvent myself,” said O’Neill. She hopes to achieve what she promotes: positive aging.

She plans to go back to school in the fall at the University of Southern Maine. Her long-term goal is a career in consulting and teaching gerontology at the community college level. She hopes to build on her experience with elderly and aging populations.

Under her leadership, SeniorsPlus and its predecessors grew and changed.

“The agency is truly indebted to Eloise, not only for her 25 years of service, but more importantly, for all the good works she has extended to the elderly citizens of our area,” said SeniorsPlus Board Chairman Charles Murray.

In 1970 O’Neill was the administrator of Lewiston’s federally funded Senior Citizen Opportunity Program. It offered many of the services that are still offered by SeniorsPlus: an employment program, activities at senior centers, Meals on Wheels and meals at congregate dining sites.

In 1973 the state was awarded money through the Older Americans Act to establish Area Agencies on Aging throughout the state. A program in Wilton was named the western Maine site. In 1977 O’Neill became the nutrition director for that program, which moved from Wilton to Lewiston two years later. O’Neill assumed the position of executive director in 1981.

Over the years the name changed from Western Older Citizens Council to Western Area Agency on Aging to SeniorsPlus.

O’Neill was there through every change.

“It has been an incredible journey and a wonderful opportunity,” she said.

She added, “I feel that this is a critical time that requires new and energetic leadership for SeniorsPlus. At this particular time we are fortunate to have an outstanding and extremely competent executive staff who administer the critical functions of the agency, and therefore I sincerely believe that the time is right.”

A Lewiston native, O’Neill graduated from Lewiston High School in 1955 and got an associate’s degree from the University of Maine. She has been active in the community, including Rotary Club and the boards of directors of the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce and L/A Arts, among other things.

She said she looks forward to enjoying extra time with her husband, Jim, and her children and grandchildren. A trip to London is planned for the end of April.

Pam Allen is serving as interim executive director as the agency searches for a new leader.