What does it mean to keep growing, contributing, and connecting after retirement?In this episode of Aging with Grace and Purpose, we meet Alice Trimmer, whose life has been shaped by music, education, leadership, and a deep commitment to community.Alice Trimmer: Building Stronger Communities | A Life of Music, Purpose & ServiceAlice studied music and violin before building a career that brought together her love of music and words. At The McGraw-Hill Companies, she served as an Editorial Director for Music in the educational division, helping shape music education materials for the next generation.After retiring from publishing, Alice discovered a new way to put her experience and energy to work. She worked as the Director at the Rosedale Center, a division of the South Bronx Educational Foundation, contributing her time, leadership, and experience to running supplementary educational and leadership programs for young women in middle school and high school. Today, Alice is enjoying full retirement—but she certainly hasn't stopped being engaged with the world around her. She organized the Phoenix Club, a group of women with substantial life experience who meet monthly to build new friendships, share their knowledge, and find meaningful ways to enrich the lives of those around them.The Phoenix Club explores topics of cultural and practical interest, drawing upon the members' collective knowledge and life experiences, as well as the expertise of invited speakers.For Alice, this may be one expression of what the Japanese call Ikigai—a reason for being, or something that gives life meaning and makes us want to get up and participate in the world each day. Retirement, in this sense, isn't an ending. It can be an opportunity to discover new forms of purpose, connection, and contribution.One example is the Phoenix Club's September 2026 theme, “What's in a Name?” Members will share the stories behind their names—whether they came from a person, place, or thing—as a way of exploring personal history and celebrating the richness of America's heritage during its 250th anniversary year. Alice's story reminds us that a career may end, but purpose doesn't have to. Sometimes our Ikigai emerges in a different form: bringing people together, sharing what we have learned, staying curious, creating friendships, and making the lives of others a little richer.From music and education to community leadership, Alice Trimmer shows us that a meaningful life can continue to evolve at every age.
