Video displaying scenes from Judson Park, a Life Plan Community in Des Moines, Washington

Linda

Helpful Hands and Fabulous Hats

For Linda, caregiving isn’t just something she did — it’s who she is. It’s a passion that began with her family and followed her into her next chapter at Judson Park, where she has become a beloved member of the community. She is known not only for her generosity and warmth but also for her great sense of style.

Linda’s journey to Judson Park began through her role as a caregiver to her late husband, Ed, who lived with Parkinson’s disease. After seven years of also caring for Ed’s parents, Linda made the difficult decision to leave her job to focus entirely on supporting her husband and in-laws, which was as much of a meaningful experience as it was a necessity.

When they toured Judson Park, Linda felt the community’s warmth and knew it was the place for them. “And when I looked out and saw the water, it reminded me of my old home in Anacortes. I knew I could still have that peaceful view of the sound.”

Linda stays busy and has become a vital presence on campus. She volunteers her time around the community. Whether it’s giving neighbors rides to appointments, doing laundry for a friend or delivering someone’s mail, she is always willing to lend a helping hand. She is also a proud member of the community’s ambassador committee, welcoming new residents, inviting them to meals and helping them learn the safety protocols.

“Helping people just makes me feel good,” she says. One close friendship has blossomed with fellow resident Margi. “Margi uses a scooter and walker, so I’ll take her shopping for new outfits or out to dinner. We love spending time together.”

Linda’s helping hand even extends to her closet! Known on campus for her eye-catching wardrobe and themed attire, she makes every event an occasion. “I love hats!” she says with a laugh. “I have fancy tea hats, winter hats, Kentucky Derby hats, western hats. Residents even borrow them from me sometimes!” With a flair for fun — and fashion — Linda never misses a chance to dress up and spread joy. “It’s just fun! Life’s too short not to have a little fun with fashion.”

When she’s not helping around Judson Park or adding flair to festivities, Linda loves spending time with her family. Recent family trips have inspired her fashion and taken her to Paris, Nashville and Memphis — experiences she treasures.

Through it all, Linda’s caregiver heart continues to guide her. Whether offering support, laughter or simply a fashionable accessory, she embodies the very best of Judson Park’s warm and welcoming spirit.

Susan and Rick

Spotlight on the Stages of Life

When Rick and Susan moved to Judson Park, they left behind the quiet beauty — and increasing isolation — of Anderson Island. While they cherished their island home, the challenges of ferry schedules and distance from medical care made them rethink their long-term picture.

“After caring for my parents, we experienced how difficult things can get when you don’t plan ahead,” Susan says. “We wanted to make a move while it was still our choice. That decision has opened a vibrant new chapter that blends activity, creativity and connection for us.”

A retired college theater professor, Rick’s passion for performance has never dimmed. At Judson Park, he may be off campus more than on — directing plays at Lakewood Playhouse and Tacoma Little Theatre and staying active in the regional arts scene.

“I’ve always believed in the transformative power of storytelling,” Rick says. “Directing gives me the chance to keep that magic alive.”

When he’s not calling the shots backstage, you’ll often find him ushering at local theaters — his secret to seeing nearly every show in town. And his love for the arts extends beyond the stage. At Judson Park, Rick plays piano for vespers and is known for his warm presence at community events.

Rick also enjoys crocheting baby blankets and toys, many of which are gifted to his 16 grandchildren or donated to local hospitals. “It’s meditative and a way to stay connected with my grandchildren who live all around the world.”

While Rick brings theatrical flair to the community, Susan, a former elementary school teacher, embodies movement and mindfulness. She walks 2-3 miles a day, joins on-campus fitness classes, attends off-site Pilates sessions and enjoys the freedom of no longer needing to cook.

“I love the rhythm of life here,” Susan says. “There’s structure if you want it, but also the space to be alone.”

She’s a regular at the College of Intellectual Inspiration lecture series — one of her favorite offerings at Judson Park — and a happy participant in the Wine Club, where she and Rick enjoy socializing in a relaxed, engaging atmosphere.

Despite their different personalities — Susan is more introverted and Rick is a natural extrovert — the couple finds time to attend Bible study together, work out side by side and support neighbors by offering rides to appointments or to run errands. Together, they share a deep appreciation for community and purpose.

“We value the freedom to be as involved as we want to be,” Susan says. “It’s the right blend of connection and quiet.”

John

Singing A New Verse

When John walks into a room, you immediately sense his calm strength and genuine warmth — qualities honed during a lifelong career in social work and community connection. Before retiring a decade ago, John spent most of his professional life serving others in the medical field across Washington. His work introduced him to the Life Plan Community model, and it was his firsthand understanding of the power of proactive living that ultimately brought him to Judson Park – first as a team member and then later as a resident.

“I had worked as a clinical social worker in retirement communities, and I was the first social worker hired at Judson Park in the ‘80s!” John recalls. But it wasn’t just his professional experience that influenced his decision to move to Judson Park in 2021. His late mother-in-law had enjoyed her life here.

“My wife and I were planning to make this move together; however, sadly she passed before that could happen. It was difficult to make this move without her, but I am grateful that we had made this decision to call Judson Park home,” he says. “I would have been very alone otherwise. Instead, I have found connection and a safe, welcoming place to live.”

Now living on the top floor in an apartment with sweeping views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains, John finds joy in the small, everyday things: the gorgeous sunsets, connection with others and the ease of independent community living.

John thrives in that independence. He’s deeply involved at Calvary Lutheran Church, where he sings bass in the choir, attends a weekly men’s Bible study and participates in a monthly book club.

“Being part of the choir is great for my brain,” he says. “Learning music and singing in harmony keeps me sharp, and being part of a group brings me so much happiness.”

He’s also a devoted grandfather. With his son and his family living just 30 miles away, John sees his three granddaughters weekly, often attending swim meets or enjoying dinner together. “It’s a balancing act,” he says. “Some nights, I have dinner here with friends, and other nights, I can be with family. I like that I can do both.”

After a lifetime of providing support for others, John has come full circle, now thriving in the very environment he once helped to create. His story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to embrace new chapters, find balance and live with intention.

Chris and Ed

Pedals and Pinot

After decades of military service, adventure and global travel, Chris and Ed are embracing a new kind of journey — one grounded in community, connection and continued discovery.

For Ed, that passion takes the form of open roads and winding trails. A lifelong advocate of health and movement, he rides between 3,500–4,000 miles a year on his road bike — exploring King County’s 500-mile trail system and logging about 125 miles per week. “I ride the trails I know well — sometimes 50 miles in a day,” he says. When weather or time keeps him indoors, Ed connects his smart trainer to a computer app in the Judson Park fitness center, logging virtual miles with real resistance. This year, he completed the Cascade Cycling Club’s Seattle to Portland ride of 209 miles in 15 hours.

Ed’s commitment to motion doesn’t end with cycling. A former naval aviator who traveled the world over his 26-year career in the Navy, Ed later transitioned into the high-tech world, working in logistics for a Silicon Valley firm. Retirement from the military didn’t slow him down — instead, he dove into woodworking, learning to craft early American furniture by hand. At Judson Park, he saw an opportunity to revive the community woodshop — not just to use his own tools but also to share a space where others could create. Now he manages the shop, organizing community projects, such as handmade Christmas trees and toys for residents to paint and gift to others.

Beyond the trails and tools, Ed lends his energy to chairing HumanGood’s Resident Advisory on Innovation for Services and Experiences, a committee focused on fulfilling unmet resident needs and enhancing resident healthspan.

Chris brings a different kind of leadership and connection to Judson Park. She spent her career as a contracting officer with the federal government, working for agencies such as the Navy, Environmental Protection Agency and NASA to budget for major initiatives, including a mission to the moon.

After settling into Judson Park, Chris dove further into a decades-long passion and launched the community’s popular wine club. Over the years, she immersed herself in learning the craft and refining her skills until she mastered the art of winemaking — even creating her own label. For Chris, wine has always been about more than what’s in the glass. It’s about connection, conversation and community.

Now, she shares that passion with fellow residents, inviting them to experience not just the taste of wine, food pairings and themed get-togethers, such as Southern Hemisphere Wines or Bang for Your Buck Wines, but also the joy and warmth it brings when shared together. Now, with a calendar filled with fitness, friends and fine wine, Chris and Ed are proof that retirement is just the beginning of the next big adventure.