Nancy Lochmeyer has worked for most of her adult life, but  in 2019 she decided she was ready for something different.

She’d had jobs in segregated enclaves and was looking for something closer to home, that was in the community with more hours and higher wages.

When her job coach at LICCO found out a position had opened up for a dishwasher at the Virtues Golf Club, she helped Nancy practice for the interview.

On June 6, 2019  Nancy, 50, started her new job and has been enjoying it ever since.

“I’m doing a good job,” she said. “I’m really enjoying it. I like the people at Virtues!”

Nancy, who is deaf and used an interpreter for this interview, started out washing dishes, but it quickly became clear she could be cross-trained for other tasks.

During her first season, she also helped with stocking, cleaning, food prep,  gathering dishes and dishing up soup.

As a seasonal worker, Nancy typically doesn’t work during the winter months. She was getting ready to return to work when the COVID-19 pandemic began in March of 2020.

Although she ended up being away from work longer than she expected, when the golf club opened its Overlook restaurant back up, she was thrilled to return and spend time with her coworkers.

Jeff Stotts, executive chef at the Overlook, was excited to have her back.

“Nancy does a great job,” he said. “She’s an exceptional employee. She’s always busy.”

Since the pandemic started and many people have tried to focus on outdoor activities, the golf course has been busier than usual, especially in the spring and summer months, Jeff said.

Nancy is great in taking initiative and anticipating when her coworkers need help.

“She actively finds things to do,” he said. “She takes a lot of pride in her work.”

Nancy said she’s hoping to continue to learn new skills and help with some additional aspects of catering.

“She’s a real go-getter,” said her father Robert Lochmeyer. “She works hard.”

One of her coworkers knows sign language and they have become good friends, Jeff said. Although some of her coworkers don’t sign, they have been able to write things down to communicate with her.

“They are very willing to help,” Nancy said.

Working at Virtues has allowed Nancy to make, and save, more money. She uses her wages to pay her bills and buy food for herself and her cat, Hannah, do a little shopping and set some aside for a vacation.

Her parents, Robert and Jutta, said they are very happy she has found a job that’s the right fit.

“My philosophy was if it’s good for Nancy, it’s a good thing,” Robert said. ‘I like that she has an opportunity to improve.”