Since 1951, Episcopal Retirement Services has improved the lives of older adults through innovative, quality senior living communities and through community services to older adults. The maintenance-free lifestyle of an Episcopal Retirement Services (ERS) community offers residents the freedom and flexibility to pursue their interests. For many residents, pursuing new passions means finding opportunities to benefit the well-being of others — in both their residential community and the community at large.
Here’s how three ERS residents are living with purpose in creative, passion-filled ways:
Early in his career, pediatrician Dr. John Kiesel felt a heart tug for underserved populations and took his talents to the poverty-driven needs of Morehead, Kentucky. There, he was the only pediatrician within a 65-mile radius for several years and treated many “unusual” cases, he recalls.
Following retirement, John continued his passion for at-risk populations by enlisting as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in January 2010, where he continues to serve children and families navigating the legal system following abuse, neglect, addiction and other harmful situations.
“Since I’m a retired pediatrician, I’m able to help attorneys and judges sort through the medical issues of these cases,” he says.
Living in the Dudley Square community in Louisville, he says, affords ample time and flexibility. He’s often on the go, helping various organizations around town. Twice a week, he helps serve breakfast for at-risk populations at Wayside Christian Mission. He’s an alternate delegate to the board of Episcopal Church Home (set for full board membership in January 2020), while serving on the fundraising board and the Discernment Committee to evaluate an intern seeking possible priesthood in the Episcopal Church. Amid all his service work, John still finds time to enjoy his passion for sailing. He’ll teach his fourth nine-week sailing course this spring. “It’s one heck of a way to waste a Wednesday night!” he laughs.
For as long as she can remember, Pat Donaldson has loved art. When it came time to choose a major at Bowling Green State University, however, her father advised her that a career in commercial art wasn’t realistic. “And it wasn’t, at the time,” she says. She pursued a career in elementary education instead, teaching hundreds of elementary school children for over 24 years. Meanwhile, she married her husband, JD, and the couple raised three children as his NFL coaching career took their family to New York, New Jersey and Ohio.
Pat’s passion for art lingered in her heart, though it took a backseat to her life’s other blessings — a bustling family and career. “I was a little bit busy,” she laughs.
When Pat retired and moved into Deupree House in Hyde Park, she found the time and freedom to pursue her interest in art. “When you’re living here, you don’t have to worry about a schedule,” she says. “You can spend the whole afternoon at the library — or painting!”
Pat’s paintings are proudly displayed throughout many of her fellow residents’ homes. In early October, Pat was busy churning out projects to be sold at the auxiliary’s Annual Fall Bazaar later that month, and ERS often uses her work in the form of holiday cards sent to residents and supporters of the ERS community. And her artistic flair doesn’t end there. When the Deupree House community needed an aesthetic facelift, ERS President and CEO Laura Lamb enlisted Pat’s keen eye for color and design to help guide the project.
Pat also volunteers her time on the Auxiliary committee and helps contribute creative touches for the Good Samaritan Mission Fund Gala. To those looking to pursue new avenues in their retirement years, Pat gives this advice, “Find something that you’re passionate about. Find your bliss, something that really sets you afire. Now’s the time to go after it.”
Kate Powers has a knack for connecting with people. The self-proclaimed extrovert — voted “busiest” in high school — wasted no time making connections with new neighbors when she moved into Marjorie P. Lee with her husband, Jim, a little over two years ago. She also has a passion for singing and has pursued choral opportunities throughout life’s different seasons, from glee club at Walnut Hills High School to the chorus at Marjorie P. Lee.
This year, Kate melded her passions for singing and human connection by creating a program for Marjorie P. Lee’s memory care residents called Fun with Music. The program, which she co-leads with longtime friend Elizabeth Archer, welcomes residents and staff members to sing and connect through music. “It’s fairly clear that people who have memory loss still retain their memories of music,” Kate says. Songs like “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” and “You Are My Sunshine” are favorites.
The program’s structure is relaxed and flexible. Participants are welcome to sing, dance, play instruments, or even “take a nap!” Kate says. “It’s a time we set aside to hopefully enhance their experience of pleasure and comfort.”
What’s most important, Kate says, is that people experience connection and purpose through Fun with Music. To Kate, Fun with Music embodies Marjorie P. Lee’s mission and reflects the community’s culture. “There are so many people leading lives of purpose here in very quiet ways,” she says. “There’s a spirit here that I’ve really seen animated through caring for others.”
A Montessori-trained teacher with decades of experience, Kate also volunteers in the infant/toddler program at Cincinnati Parent Child Center in Mt. Washington, and explores the parallels of human development between infants and aging adults.
The Marjorie P. Lee community enabled both Kate and her husband (a retired historian) to deepen their pursuit of individual passions.
Episcopal Retirement Services is located at 3870 Virginia Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45227. For more information, call 513.271.9610 or visit
www.episcopalretirement.com.