How do I handle a long gap on my résumé? after 9 years as a payroll clerk

I have been out of work for 8 months and worry about the gap. It has been a long 15 weeks. I am not sure how much to explain. What do you say in interviews?

I listed the volunteering and course under the same dates and kept the explanation to a sentence in the cover letter.

Keep your skills fresh and mention anything recent. It shows momentum.