The path to retirement for Solon resident Theresa Markowitz looked different than that of most people.

Markowitz unexpectedly retired from her first job as a mental health therapist in 1989 when she was 32 years old. Her plan then had been to pause work until her children were in full-day school, but amid struggles to have a second child, she and her husband chose to adopt a baby who would likely have special needs.

Markowitz’s second daughter came home as a three-and-a-half-week-old infant, and had significant developmental and mental illness challenges early on. As a result, Markowitz never returned to working for pay. Instead, she began volunteer work rooted in Judaism, psychology, disabilities and social justice.

Q: Why did volunteering seem like a good fit for you?

A: My Jewish v

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