Our current elders share a beautiful photo and a short biography of their lives!
Ann O’keefe
Most folks know that Ann was an accomplished artist and owned a very popular antique shop in Portland for years. What might not be so well known is what a supportive and accepting mother she was. Despite disliking reptiles, Ann allowed her son to have an Iguana, Indian Python, Reticulated Python, Anaconda, Alligator and other snakes and lizards in cages in his bedroom. When John would go away on a ski trip with his dad, Ann would be responsible for feeding them. She took to wearing tall boots when she’d go in his room and one time when she believed there was a snake loose, told the boys she just opened the bedroom door and threw in the mice while they were gone. What an amazing lady!
John Newman
John Newman was born May 9,1946 in Battle Creek, Michigan as a twin with his sister Connie. He proudly attended the University of Michigan where he stayed on to complete a Phd in Psychology with an emphasis on management psychology, still a rare field of study. John was a lucky man when he met his bride to be, Barbara, at the U of M. They enjoyed many great years of marriage and raised two sons. John went on to work for and consult with several major corporations to help them create better work environments for their employees. He went on to start his own consulting business called “Management Consultants Incorporated '' and wrote two books along the way, “How to Stay Cool, Calm and Confident when the Pressures On” and “Wisdom for Earthlings”. One can still find the former in bookstores around the world. He later re-educated to become a Physician’s Assistant and worked as an Orthopedic PA for 15 years before retiring and moving to the Methow to be closer to family. John has always loved to be outside working in the yard or taking a long walk. He usually has a University of Michigan hat on his head and is ready to watch another season of U of M football and basketball. He’s a quiet guy who is peaceful at heart and loves a good dry joke. You can always win John over with food, a hug and a nice long walk!
Lois Chavey
Lois was born on Bainbridge Island in 1933 and still talks about what a beautiful place it was to grow up. After spending some years and adventures in Seattle, Alaska, and Illinois, Lois moved, with her family, to the Methow Valley in 1975, where she began her career as the famous MV School District lunch lady. Lois’s family already knew about her amazing bread, pies, and other baked treats, but over the years, generations of students came to know her and love her for her cheese zombies, tapioca pudding, cowboy casserole, egg rolls, and always, homemade rolls. Even today, 30 years after retirement, former students walk up to mom (or Adrian!) and tell her all about their favorite school lunches. After retirement, mom became a founding board member of the Cove, and later, Jamie’s Place. She has spent her life giving of her time, energy, and love to her family and friends, and taught her children to give of their time and resources to the social causes near and dear to her heart, including supporting students with disabilities, people with food insecurity, and our beloved community elders. Her family is so grateful for the work that mom devoted to the creation of Jamie’s Place, and for the care and devotion of the current staff of Jamie’s Place now that mom has become a resident. We love you all.
Patricia Selby
Patricia Selby grew up outside of Salem Oregon on a berry farm with her parents and two younger brothers. Patricia danced ballet, coached High School gymnastics, and taught High School Spanish. In the 70s Patricia and her husband settled in the Seattle area to raise their family. Patricia had two children, Kate and Zack. She was known as a “fun mom” who always had delicious food in the house and a warm welcoming energy. She was an inspired cook, a magnificent entertainer. Her home was a popular stop for all the neighborhood kids. Patricia loved woodworking and building with her hands; she built a designer doghouse. She shucked oysters off the beach on the Hood Canal and hosted clambake parties. In the early 2000s she owned and operated a destination toy store on Bainbridge Island. She traveled around Europe numerous times, spent time in Japan, bicycled across the Yucatán Peninsula to celebrate her 50th birthday, and most recently lived in Alaska. Patricia is loved by many, especially by her children and 3 grandchildren.
Eunice Marchbank
Eunice moved to the Methow Valley in 1968 with her husband who was drawn here by the mountains. Eunice & Gary settled in and raised their three daughters on the banks of the Methow River. Eunice worked as a nurse for local hospitals and the Home Health Care Agency, visiting patients in their homes to provide care. Over her many years in the valley Eunice has been an active community member serving on the board of Jamie’s Place and The Cove and was instrumental in starting the Guardian Angels program through The Cove. She’s a talented writer, seamstress and quilter who loves flowers and enjoys growing African Violets.
Marcia Liebl
She has three daughters and was a teacher for over 30 years and loved by students and staff alike. She loves movies, pets, and used to be an avid reader. But most of all she is the most loving and proud grandma. She adores her seven grandchildren and lights up every time she sees them! She loves to play games with them, especially Uno and Bingo!
Kathy Hanford
Kathy has lived in the Valley for over 45 years, enjoying the beauty of the forests and rivers. She cares deeply for those around her and has been a source of guidance for her friends and family. She loved attending church and bible studies to grow her faith with friends. Upon retiring, Kathy volunteered at The Cove and The Methow Valley Senior Center to help fulfill her passion and desire to help others. Throughout the years Kathy taught her daughters how to bake, sharing her knowledge and skills in the kitchen, while creating cherished memories together. Her love for baking, particularly her peach crisp, holds a special place in the hearts and memories of her loved ones. She enjoyed using peaches from her parents’ orchard to make her peach crisp extra delicious. Kathy loves to take walks in and around Jamie’s Place with her family, along with eating all the wonderful dishes and desserts made by the amazing caregivers.
Dorothy Evans
Handmade by Dorothy Evans' is a label sewn into many garments of the Evans family. Dorothy was a weaver of fine fabrics and a sewer of work shirts. Attention to detail showed in the meals she cooked and delivered hot in the field for the potato harvest crews and in the silk-screened invitations for her daughter's wedding. Dorothy delights in creating and sharing her gifts, always handmade with love.
Gene Starcher
Genie weenie is how he’s know by friends, a heart of gold he’ll love you ‘til the end. He’s a pilot, known as Chelan’s Goldsmith, Hawaii tv and radio broadcaster, Ruby Theater and 25 mile creek projectionist, father of four and grandpa. He likes to go on long walks, read books, talk about airplanes and their Doppler effect. He's smart and sweet! The things he says are neat. Like,
"You're cute, your fat, I like you just like that”
“Hi Gene how are ya?”
“I look good, what happened to you?!”
He’ll keep you on your toes, smart and witty. He took care of Bob the family kitty. He learned snowboarding with his kids at 62! Musically inclined, flute, drums, and a world famous whistle too. Do you know tumbao? How to tie knots? Create a successful lost wax cast? Gene does, and could teach you! That’s just the tip of the iceberg of the story of Gene’s great life, born August 8, make sure to serve ice cream with that cake! He’s a loving, caring and dedicated father and friend who loves to swim in lake Chelan.
Janet Boughton Fry
Janet Fry was born in 1934 in Bloomfield, NJ. She grew up in the shadow of New York City and spending time at the Jersey Shore. Her mom Christine was a bookkeeper and her father ran a service station. Janet attended Temple University for her bachelors and masters degrees in Microbiology/Medical Technology graduating in 1956. She worked in Philadelphia for a number of years until she met Louis Fry on a ski trip to Aspen, CO and decided to move to Seattle in 1965 where he worked for the University of Washington. Janet enjoyed downhill skiing and hiking throughout her life. While living on the east coast she skied in Vermont and New Hampshire, belonging to the Mad River Glen Ski club. In Seattle, Janet taught in the Med Tech program at the University of Washington, became a master gardener and worked with Girl Scouts, besides lots of skiing with her family. Janet has been enjoying her time in Winthrop, with its natural beauty and lovely mountains.
Hannchen Mench
Hannchen grew up in Hamburg, Germany and moved to the United States in her 30’s after traveling and hitchhiking around the world. She has always loved exploring and continued to do so in the US through hiking and photography. Hannchen loves nature and took care to restore the native landscape around her home.
At Mountain View, she still enjoys gardening and continues her adventures by taking frequent walks around Winthrop. She particularly loves visiting her grand-daughter at the Old SchoolHouse Brewery for a beer.