It was a bad week.

Make that one of the worst weeks. Ever.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 1,874 points, or 18.2 percent of its value this week. That’s the worst drop on record, both in point and percentage losses, and tops the previous record of a 17 percent drop in July 1933.

Retirees have watched their savings plummet with stock values.

“We are mad,” said Mary Boring, a retired post office worker. “We worked hard for our money. We saved all our life to have to take care of us when we’re old.”

Friday’s loss of 128 capped off eight straight days of losses for the Dow. While many investors are planning to ride it out, that’s not an option for senior citizens.

“We trusted the wrong people,” Ms. Boring said as she played cards at the Joyce Raye Patterson Senior Citizens Center Friday. “You can’t trust businesses and you can’t trust government.”

Glen Swinney retired from Ford Motor Co. and owns company stock. On Friday, Ford closed down at $1.99 per share. Mr. Swinney said he paid as much as $40 for the stock. Mr. Swinney blames greed and a lack of regulation for the market crash and the loss of his retirement.

Despite the distance from Wall Street, St. Joseph seniors experience the pain.

“You feel hurt,” said Lois Smith, who said she received two letters Thursday telling her how much her investments had lost.

When AIG executives took a retreat at a luxury spa after the company tanked and ousted CEOs at financial houses cashed in hefty bonuses, the retirees took it as a personal affront.

“They partied while we wept,” said Darlene Shelton, a retired teacher.

Investors were looking for bright spots on Friday. Many are hoping the upcoming election will turn around the economy.

“I wish and pray that we can bring America back to the way it used to be,” said Ray Grienke, a retired minister whose pension is tied to the stock market.

President Bush said Friday that the government is using a wide range of tools, including the $700 billion bailout of the financial industry, to help markets.

The Nasdaq squeaked out a tiny increase on Friday and the Russell 2000 index of smaller companies had a 4.66 percent gain, which analysts said indicated a buying mood.

Although they’re frustrated, most retirees said they’re trying not to worry too much about the stock market.

“There’s no use worrying because there’s not a thing I can do about it,” said Nova Canady.

Susan Mires can be reached

at susanm@npgco.com.