This first-person account is drawn from an in-depth conversation with Jane Way, an 84-year-old resident of a quiet suburb near Phoenix, Arizona. Despite her advanced age and several persistent health challenges, she continues to dedicate roughly 30 hours each week to her position as a U.S.-based accountant for a nonprofit organization that operates an orphanage in South Africa. Although part of her motivation stems from financial necessity, she makes it clear that even if money were not an issue, her commitment to work and purpose would remain unwavering. The interview, which has been carefully condensed and refined for clarity, captures the perspective of a woman whose professional life and personal resilience have been forged through decades of perseverance and service.
Jane’s work ethic was instilled early in life. She began working at just seven years old in her parents’ family restaurant, learning the discipline and responsibility that would become hallmarks of her career. After earning a degree in accounting, she accomplished a notable milestone by becoming the first woman from California Polytechnic State University to be invited to assist in recruiting students for certified public accounting positions at major firms. Her early promise was recognized quickly; she received an offer from one of the prestigious Big Eight accounting firms of the time, where she spent two formative years. During that period, she obtained her professional certification and laid the groundwork for a distinguished 46-year career as a Certified Public Accountant.
Over the ensuing decades, Jane held numerous roles in both the franchising and retail industries, steadily building her reputation as a capable and respected figure in the fields of accounting and finance. Her professional achievements, coupled with her long-term dedication, allowed her to become a fixture in corporate leadership circles. Her late husband, who shared her vocation as a CPA, took a bold step after surviving a major heart attack in 1972 by launching an import business. Together, they managed the company while Jane also served as the Chief Financial Officer of an international franchisor specializing in equipment and party rentals. The couple’s entrepreneurial ventures enriched their lives and strengthened their professional bond until his passing in 1987, after which Jane chose not to remarry.
Following her husband’s death, Jane found herself unprepared to manage the full weight of an executive CFO position while simultaneously handling personal loss. Consequently, she transitioned into contract work, offering her accounting expertise to a variety of businesses. For several years, she collaborated with a rental company before eventually refocusing her energy on the private sector. Over the past 12 years, her emphasis has shifted toward nonprofit work—a professional realignment that aligns closely with her personal values. Today, she is deeply involved with an Arizona-based nonprofit organization that operates an orphanage for children in South Africa, combining her accounting skills with her lifelong desire to create meaningful impact.
Her involvement in the nonprofit world began through her church community. As an active member, Jane serves on the missions committee, where members assess outreach opportunities and charitable partnerships. When a fellow congregant introduced the South African orphanage as a potential mission project, she immediately felt drawn to contribute her time and professional expertise. Today, her work schedule is largely dictated by the 9-hour time difference between Arizona and South Africa. While many people her age are fast asleep, Jane’s workday often begins near midnight: by 11 p.m. her time, the South African business day is already concluding, and her accounting tasks for the organization continue until roughly 8 a.m. Although she does not maintain a full 9-to-5 schedule, the cumulative total of her nighttime and daytime work averages around 30 hours each week. During daylight hours, she focuses on financial statements, management analyses, and reporting that require minimal supervision, supplementing her irregular rest with a few substantial naps every 24-hour cycle.
Jane describes herself as a person who “thrives on work”—someone who feels most alive when engaged in solving problems and improving systems that benefit others. For her, productivity is more than a habit; it is a sustaining force. “Sharing my best,” she explains, has been her guiding principle for decades. The intellectual stimulation of her profession keeps her mind sharp, while the act of contributing to a cause greater than herself provides emotional fulfillment. Although she admits that additional income is necessary for her financial stability, she is adamant that she would continue working regardless of monetary considerations. To her, the satisfaction derived from purpose-driven labor is reward enough.
Across her long career, Jane has attempted retirement more than once—but each time, she discovered that life without professional engagement felt incomplete. Her first attempt came in 1990, when she briefly stepped away after managing her own accounting practice. The second, longer break lasted from 2004 to 2011. Yet, by her early seventies, she realized that the concept of retirement simply did not suit her temperament. The rhythm of her days felt off without meaningful work anchoring them.
Financially, Jane relies mainly on a combination of Social Security payments and the modest salary she earns from her nonprofit work. Having helped finance the college educations of two grandchildren, she acknowledges that the savings she once set aside for personal retirement were largely spent on family priorities—a decision she made with clear intent and no regret. When family gathered to celebrate her 80th birthday, she announced with typical optimism that she had developed a 20-year plan for her future. Now approaching the halfway mark of that plan, she acknowledges that some aspects of life have improved, while others have grown more difficult. Nevertheless, she remains committed to her goal of living to 100, ideally still engaged in meaningful work when she reaches that milestone.
Jane’s values are firmly ordered: faith and family come first, followed by work, and finally her passion for writing. Her relationships with her son and three grandchildren are deeply important to her, and she is committed to serving as a positive influence in their lives. Health issues, though undeniably serious, do not dominate her thoughts. She regards them as natural elements of aging, the inevitable result of living into one’s ninth decade. For the past five years, she has used a wheelchair, which limits her mobility but not her engagement with the world. Through her career, family, and the digital tools that allow her to work remotely, she maintains a strong sense of connection and purpose.
Working from home, Jane has adapted her environment to accommodate both convenience and accessibility. Her son and one of her grandsons share the household, creating a multigenerational support system that functions smoothly. Her son, who suffered a debilitating stroke in 2016, is now disabled, and her grandson, whose marriage ended, moved in as a practical solution for all three. The arrangement has been beneficial: each person manages their own responsibilities, they share expenses, and Jane, who enjoys cooking, often prepares their meals. The household setup also provides her an unexpected advantage—a ready source of technical assistance when technology poses challenges.
Throughout her later years, Jane has endured periods when health setbacks forced her to pause work temporarily. The most significant interruption occurred in 2023, when she contracted COVID-19. The illness required nearly two weeks of hospitalization followed by six weeks in a rehabilitation facility. Despite the ordeal, her determination remained unshaken, and she resumed her responsibilities as soon as she was physically able.
Looking ahead, Jane hopes to remain with her current organization for at least another decade, offering her accounting expertise as part of its continued success. She believes her employers appreciate the quality and consistency of her work, and she looks forward to the day when she, rather than circumstances, decides that it is finally time to stop.
For Jane, work is not merely a profession but an expression of purpose—a belief encapsulated in her long-held conviction that “work is its own reward.” She advises others to seek out fields that they genuinely enjoy, because when work aligns with personal passion, it ceases to feel like labor. Equally important to her is the principle of generosity: she emphasizes volunteering and giving back as vital components of a fulfilling life.
When reflecting on possible regrets, Jane mentions only one—that she perhaps did not prioritize building and maintaining long-term friendships outside of her family and faith community. While she has formed close bonds in her church and enjoys companionship with new friends her age, she recognizes that newer relationships cannot replicate the depth of shared history she once had with longtime acquaintances. Nevertheless, she remains grateful for the company and friendships that continue to enrich her daily life.
Ultimately, Jane’s philosophy centers on authenticity, personal responsibility, and perseverance. She urges others to remain true to themselves, to make choices that align with their genuine desires, and to accept the consequences when those choices do not yield the desired outcomes. Adversity, she believes, is an indispensable part of maturity; it is through confronting hardship that individuals develop resilience and comprehension of life’s true substance. In her words and in her example, Jane Way reminds us that personal strength, purpose, and faith—not age—define a life well-lived.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/cant-retire-social-security-working-at-84-financial-struggle-2025-12
