there and prepared tax returns ….
there and prepared tax returns for more than 1,100 clients over 55 years.
She moved into Mutual 9 in 1993 and joined the GRF Board in October 1996 in a midterm appointment.
In addition to serving as treasurer, she chaired the Finance Committee for nine years—from 1997-2000, 20012004 and 2005-2008. She was a member of the GRF Executive Committee every year she was on the board. Her other appointments included GRF secretary, and chair of the Security, Bus and Transportation, Recreation, and Information Technology Services committees. She was a member of the Publications, Library, Recreation, Physical Property, Resales and Medical committees. She served at a time when the board had 11 committees rather than the five it has today.
She was extremely proud of the work the GRF Board accomplished during her long tenure. “We did a lot of good,” she said in a past interview.
She was instrumental in bringing several important amenities to Leisure World. For example, she and former GRF President Paul Snow worked to arrange the purchase of the Leisure World Library from a bankrupt Orange County. In June 1995, GRF purchased the 4,000-square-foot branch library from Orange County for $225,000. Cummings’ negotiation skills helped to save the facility from impending closure by the county, allowing the library to become the privately operated, resident-focused resource it is today.
She also worked religiously for 10 years to get North Gate built to provide residents with more access into the community. In January 2008, the North Gate officially opened on Beverly Manor Drive (now called North Gate Road).
As GRF treasurer, Cummings recommended establishing the 401K program for employees, replacing the previous pre-tax retirement plan, and recommended and obtained a 4% pay raise across the board for employees.
She also had fun as a board member. She was part of the planning committee for the community’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2012. She famously used a bullhorn to call the cake walk, judged the baked goods, and walked in the parade, among many other tasks in the daylong fest.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Marie Stinner. She is survived by sons Jerry Stinner, Charley Birkes and Teryl Birkes; four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren.
Longtime GRF Director Fay Cummings (l) poses with an array of desserts at the Leisure World's 50th anniversary celebration cake walk in June 2012.
Ruth Osborn
