Naples senior center founder, prominent social services advocate dies at 75

When senior citizens in Collier County had nowhere to go, Jaclynn Faffer built them a center that would forever change the way human services are provided in Southwest Florida, those who knew her say. 

Faffer, founder, president and CEO of Baker Senior Center Naples, died Dec. 14 at 75, the nonprofit announced. She is remembered as a “visionary leader and innovator,” the nonprofit says in its announcement, and “the leading advocate for seniors in Collier County.”

When Faffer moved to Naples in 2010, it was with the intent of heading up a small family services agency. Eventually, though, as the tremendous need for a dedicated senior center became apparent, her agency evolved into the Naples Senior Center, known today as Baker Senior Center Naples. 

When the nonprofit opened its doors in 2014, it was the first dedicated senior center in all of Collier County and served around 80 individuals ages 60 and older. Today, more than 1,700 members of the Baker Senior Center Naples benefit from its mission of empowering older adults to “thrive and enjoy life to the fullest,” the release says.

When the Baker Senior Center Naples outgrew its modest home in 2023, Faffer oversaw the construction of a new 30,000-square-foot facility at 6200 Autumn Oaks Lane in North Naples, the release says. 

“Soon after her arrival, Jackie became the person to see for social services,” Karen Heithoff, Board Chair for Baker Senior Center Naples, says in the release. “Both publicly and during countless hours privately, Jackie enriched the lives of a countless number of Southwest Florida residents.”

A New Jersey native, Faffer was already a “fearless professional” when she came to Florida with more than 35 years of experience in the field of human services, the release says. She held a Master of Social Work from Tulane University and a Doctor of Social Welfare degree from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. 

Baker Senior Center Naples is one of 111 senior centers in the U.S. and among eight in Florida to achieve accreditation from the National Council on Aging and National Institute of Senior Centers. 

The Baker Senior Center Naples board has initiated a search for Faffer’s replacement, and in the interim has developed a management plan to ensure the center’s services continue uninterrupted. Chief Program Officer Marisa Luizzi, will oversee day-to-day programmatic operations while CFO Wanda Rodriguez will be responsible for non-programmatic operations, the release says.

Faffer is survived by her husband, Leonard Silverstein, and her daughters, Allison (Jacob Madigan) and Francine (John Bruno).