Lynda Fourman playing tennis at the Wawasee High School courts. Tennis is one of the several ways Fourman uses to stay active. Photo by Nathan Pace.

By Nathan Pace
InkFreeNews

While most of her peers have retired, Lynda Fourman of Syracuse is still working and staying active by choice. At 83, Fourman enjoys working, volunteering and playing tennis.

“I love it, I love my job. I love the volunteer job. I just love being active and involved and connecting with people,” Fourman said.

Fourman works part-time at two local addiction treatment centers in Oak Lawn at A New Beginning. She also volunteers at Goshen Health.

“Work keeps you moving and keeps you alive. I have a broad definition of work, labor or play, anything that serves you well in mind, body and spirit is a good thing. I have worked all my life in some fashion as most people do,” Fourman said. “I use to think work was expected of me and something I had to do. Now I find work is something I love to do and want to do.”

Fourman also plays in a senior tennis league on the Wawasee High School courts. It’s a sports she did not play in her youth but is enjoying now.

“It’s healthy for one thing. I am really grateful that I can still play. I think the fact that I’ve been playing so long is a part of the reason I am still playing,” Fourman said.

Fourman lived on a farm in Ohio until the age of 30 when she moved to Wabash. Her home was near the local tennis courts and she quickly picked up the game.

‘I learned to play and went on to win women’s singles three years in a row in the city tournament. I moved to Syracuse where I met many new and wonderful tennis players,” Fourman said.

One of those tennis players was Sue Ganshorn who introduced Fourman to the senior league at Wawasee.

During the summer, it is not uncommon for Fourman to come across high school tennis players on the courts and she uses the opportunity to spread some wisdom.

“I always tell young people on the court, high school class, tennis is something you will play all your life and it is a good thing you are pursuing that,” Fourman said.

Fourman says she has been participating in the senior league for close to 20 years at the high school.

Also keeping her busy is the fact she has two daughters and four granddaughters.

In addition to tennis, Fourman enjoys biking, kayaking, pickleball, walking and swimming. In the past few years she went hiking with three friends in the Cotswolds of England.

She also practices yoga at the Syracuse Community Center.

Fourman credits her activity to her parents Jim and Lucy Fourman.

“My mother was very active and she did water aerobics in her 90s and my dad was a great sports person,” Fourman said.

While Fourman is passionate about staying active, she says her second passion is thankfulness for those who have helped her along the way.

“The second thing is gratitude,” Fourman said. “Gratitude for all this beautiful messy world has to offer.”