Our community members are the heart and soul of Rowntree Gardens. We strive to honor every individual who calls our community home — every day. We do this by taking the time to ask our community members not only about their days, but about their lives — the accomplishments they’ve achieved, the incredible things they’ve done, and the amazing stories they have to tell. Getting to know our community members is our favorite part of what we do.
Now it’s our pleasure and privilege to share some of their stories here with you. Meet just a few of the wonderful people we’ve come to know, cherish and love as members of our own family.
Along with inspiring stories, our community members have incredible wisdom to impart. We’ve learned so much from listening to these remarkable individuals – life lessons about choosing joy, finding courage through faith, and nurturing a life-long love. We’ve taken these lessons to heart, and are eager to share our community members’ insights and experiences with you.
After 45 years of caring for our community members, Eileen never for a moment felt like it was just a job. Instead, she approached every encounter as a call to bring comfort and joy to people’s lives. Hear how Eileen found her calling at Rowntree Gardens.
A teacher in a low-income migrant community, Helen dedicated her life to fighting for civil rights. A WWII Navy veteran and engineer, Fred’s work included classified projects he couldn’t discuss. Hear how these two opposites fell and stayed in love for more than 68 years.
As an experienced nurse and the Director for Rowntree Gardens’ Health & Wellness Clinic, Claudia is dedicated to meeting not just the physical but emotional and spiritual well-being of our community members. Hear how she’s become interruptible.
During the country’s revolutionary war in the 1950s, Sammye worked as a missionary in a remote Guatemalan village. One night as soldiers marched into the village, Sammye and her husband sheltered more than 20 refugees in their home. Watch how her faith and courage helped save their lives.
As a teenager during WWII, Lilyan and her parents were sent to a Japanese Internment Camp. While her family lost everything, Lilyan chose to find joy in the everyday details of life. Watch Lil and her daughter talk about her experiences.
For Vince and Mary, their love of flying began as children. They’ve spent many years piloting their Cessna across the Southwest and Mexico. See Mary and Vince recall how they fell in love with flying — and with each other.
After surviving the attack on Pearl Harbor, young pilot Colin flew missions in Europe where his plane was shot down. Colin escaped a POW camp — running five days on foot until he found American troops. Read his heroic story here.
Jim, a retired college baseball coach, and Betty, a choreographer and professor of dance, have been active their whole lives. Well into their sixties, they both won major tournaments in racquetball, including gold medals at the Senior Olympics. Hear how this couple stays active and engaged in life.
Peggy started performing on the stage in Detroit at the age of six. After marrying her husband, an Air Force pilot, and raising three children, Peggy didn’t have much time to sing. At Rowntree Gardens, she’s found her voice once again. Watch Peggy talk about her love for music and community.
Jim H., a nuclear physicist with a PhD from MIT, talks with his friend and fellow aeronautic expert about the NASA missions they worked on together. Jim’s innovations helped Apollo astronauts travel safely to the moon. Meet Jim and hear him talk about his role in this historic event.
