Senior Advisory Council

Senior Advisor Council : COMPASS

Meet the Council Members

Nidus Abrahams

Nidus Abrahams

He is married to Tabitha and they have three grandchildren. Nidus retired from UTMB Nursing Services in 1998 after 30 years of employment. He is interested and active in traveling Central American and the Caribbean, backyard gardening, and volunteering. He has been affiliated with UTMB Retirees Association, Wesley Tabernacle United Methodist Church, and AARP. He has been a Compass Senior Advisory member since 2001.


Gloria Conz

Gloria Conz

"Ever since I could breathe I've been doing art," said Conz, 74. She studied art at the Moore Institute of Art, Science and Industry in Philadelphia and has had several show in Texas, including one at the Hermann Park Garden Center. She is a League City resident of 38 years. She enjoys her two daughters and four grandchildren. She also makes wedding invitations and graduations announcements in pen and ink and watercolor. Recently she was featured in the Houston Chronicle and at the Senior Expo to showcase her talents. She teaches Painting Gourds (including pumpkin and squash) as a class in the Senior Program. Gloria has been spotlighted for her artistic talents but also serves as a valuable member of the Senior Advisory Council.


Alva Cothern

Alva Cothern

She was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and now resides in Texas City. She has had the privilege of being on the Senior Advisory Council of the College since its inception. Her main interest has been the Senior computer classes. She has teen a teacher's aide in the computer classes for a long time. She also enjoys many of the other classes. As a single adult, the college has allowed here to spend many hours gaining knowledge, enjoying trips, and making a host of new friends. She encourages all seniors to join and participate in the Senior Adult Program.


Marge Dale

Marge Dale

Jessie Daly

Jessie Daly

Hi, I am Jessie Daly and have been a participant in the Senior Program for approximately 15 years. I have been a volunteer, traveled on some of the trips, and enjoyed the experiences. Through all of these meetings and classes, I have met many new people, and renewed some old acquaintances. I am a volunteer on a regular basis at the Texas City Police Dept. and have served on the Board of Directors of the TCCPAAA and have also volunteered at the Johnson Community Center in previous years.

I am a firm believer of the "use it or lose it" phrase, I enjoy very much working with and for people and this is why I am serving on the Senior Advisory Council. This life is so much better and healthier than sitting at home in the rocking chair. Come and join us at the Delmar location and begin to change and improve your life.


Penny Davis

Penny Davis

Penny was born in Brookfield, Wisconsin, and presently resides in Dickinson. She recently retired for Community Education Specialist with UTMB Department of Medicine Division of Geriatrics. Penny has shared her expertise with our senior by presenting numerous lectures on Medicare, safety driving, and a multitude of health issues.


Sam DeFatta

Sam DeFatta

Shirley Hollingsworth

Shirley Hollingsworth

She has a Ph.D. and is a retired teacher who has taught elementary and secondary classes in the public schools, and has also instructed teachers in methods of teaching the Language Arts for both regular and remedial students. This was accomplished in the graduate schools at four universities: Wright State University (Dayton, Ohio), The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio), Texas Women's University (Denton, Texas), and the University of Houston (Clear Lake).

She has three married sons, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She stays busy volunteering at the Opera House in Galveston, taking Yoga classes, and being a Board member of her church. A major goal for the next few years is to travel and see the world. She recently returned from a train trip across Canada and is scheduled to travel down the coast of Norway. She loves being retired.


Pete Huerta

Pete Huerta

Pete is retired from Amoco Chemical and has lived in Texas City for more than 34 years. Since retirement, he has been very involved in several Senior Adult Program courses.


Shirley Mapps

Shirley Mapps

Shirley is a wife and a mother. Her career included 32 years as an educator in Galveston County public schools. She presently serves as an adjunct instructor for College of the Mainland. She shares her knowledge and skill of sewing by teaching the Senior COMPASS class. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, sewing, and going to the theatre.


Jesse Rodriguez

Jesse Rodriguez

Jessie and Mary, his wife, are lifetime residents of the Santa Fe area. They have four children and three wonderful grandchildren. He is retired from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. His hobbies include: fishing/camping, traveling, and gardening. Jesse has been associated with the Boy Scouts of America for 20 years: as Scoutmaster, Committee Member, and Order of the Arrow (Brotherhood). His son, Joseph, developed the landscape design for the Delmar building and Mary provided many of the yard ornaments. They are members of O.L.L. Catholic Church and members of K.O.C.


Ada Faye Salsbury

Ada Faye Salsbury

She is a native Galvestonian, born and raised there. After she married, her and husband Grover moved to Hitchcock in 1963. She has three children, two sons and a daughter, and four grandsons. She has been involved with the senior program for the past six years. She has taken a variety of classes over this time span. She has especially enjoyed the exercise and gardening classes.


Beverly Self

Beverly Self

Carmelita Yeager

Carmelita Yeager

Carmelita retired from Shell Oil Company after many years of service. She and her husband reside in La Marque. Since 1998, she has participated in several of the Senior Adult Program classes and trips. Her interest in gardening has been demonstrated through her help in keeping the grounds of the Senior Office attractive to all who enter. She also delivers many goodies straight from her oven since she lives directly across the street from the senior facility.