Meet Valaida Walker

2025-03-07T16:16:58-05:00

Achieving so others can succeed Born In Darby, Pennsylvania in 1932, Valaida Walker grew up in a loving and supportive family that valued education and encouraged her always to put all of herself in whatever she did. She did just that—and paid it forward with a life and career devoted to helping others of all abilities to be their best as well. In the process she broke down barriers as the first woman and/or African-American in many of the positions she held.

Meet Valaida Walker2025-03-07T16:16:58-05:00

Meet Mabel Wilson

2025-03-07T16:17:54-05:00

She’s Called Simpson House Home Since 2019 Focused on family values Family comes first for Mabel Wilson, whose happiest memories are of family birthdays and Sunday dinners.

Meet Mabel Wilson2025-03-07T16:17:54-05:00

Meet Gus Melder

2025-03-07T16:18:49-05:00

He’s Called Simpson Meadows Home Since 2012 From the land of dikes to Downingtown Johannes “Gus” Melder was three years old in May 1940, when the Nazi Army began its occupation of Holland, or The Netherlands. The Simpson Meadows resident recalls spending nights in the cellar or in a neighbor’s bunker, listening to Allied bombers fly overhead on their way to Germany. Hunger was widespread. When shooting broke out between Allied and German forces on opposite sides of the Waal River, his family moved twice, taking very few belongings. It went on for five years—and then it ended.

Meet Gus Melder2025-03-07T16:18:49-05:00

Using Technology To Advance Our Senior Services Ministry

2025-03-11T05:05:34-04:00

By Carol McKinley, CEO One year ago, our lives changed. A novel coronavirus forced us to lock down and rethink the way we did almost everything in order to try to minimize the spread of COVID-19. If there has been a silver lining to the pandemic, it is that we DID have to rethink so many things and, in doing so, found solutions that could enhance our ability to serve our residents and their families well into the future.

Using Technology To Advance Our Senior Services Ministry2025-03-11T05:05:34-04:00

Meet David Apple

2025-03-07T16:24:23-05:00

Doctor of Ministry He’s Called Simpson House Home Since 2018  A heart for family and serving others Asked for life lessons, David Apple will tell you, “Trust God in difficult times” and “When there is an opportunity to do good, do it.” He has lived by those words.

Meet David Apple2025-03-07T16:24:23-05:00

Meet Alice Condon

2025-03-07T16:25:21-05:00

Friend of Royalty She’s Called Jenner’s Pond Home Since 2011  She was pals with a princess Alice Condon has never met anyone she didn’t like—including real royalty. The former Alice Godfrey was born at Temple Hospital in 1927 and grew up in East Falls. Two of her friends from those days would continue to play important roles in her life story: Ann Garman and Grace Kelly, who became Princess Grace of Monaco.

Meet Alice Condon2025-03-07T16:25:21-05:00

Meet Barrie Szemler

2025-03-07T16:26:20-05:00

Model She’s Called Simpson House Home Since 2018  If what they say about variety is true, Barrie Szemler has enjoyed a lot of spice in her life. By the time she took up residence in Simpson House in 2018, she had already lived on two continents and experienced a rich and varied career that included motherhood, modeling and more.

Meet Barrie Szemler2025-03-07T16:26:20-05:00

Meet John Rettew

2025-03-07T16:27:28-05:00

Eagle Scout He’s Called Simpson Meadow Home Since 2014  The rank of Eagle Scout has been awarded to many who went on to become astronauts, noted athletes, legislators and business leaders—all of whom demonstrated Scout Spirit, leadership and service in the Boy Scouts of America. John Rettew has guided more than 200 Scouts to earn this prestigious achievement. A Philadelphia native, John got involved in scouting at age 8 and remained active while at Episcopal Academy and at Haverford College, where he captained the football team while earning a degree in psychology. He went on to be manager of advertising

Meet John Rettew2025-03-07T16:27:28-05:00

Meet Pete & Joanne McManus

2025-03-07T16:28:17-05:00

Vintage Race Car Drivers They’ve Called Jenner’s Pond Home Since 2020  You might say that Pete and Joanne McManus took the scenic route to Jenner’s Pond, from New York State, where they grew up, met and married; to Indianapolis; to Wilmington, Delaware; and most recently, from nearby Thornton, Pennsylvania. Oh, and they spent 1982–1984 in England, where they also acquired and raced one of their vintage cars, a 1948 Allard K1, in vintage sports car events all across the country. The car won its class in the Historic Sports Car Championship for pre-1960 sports racing and limited-production sports cars.

Meet Pete & Joanne McManus2025-03-07T16:28:17-05:00

Meet Jim Mundell

2025-03-07T16:29:44-05:00

Minister He’s Called Jenner’s Pond Home Since 1999 Reverend Jim Mundell believes in the importance of service to his community, and he has devoted his life to supporting that belief. “As a pastor, you want to give, and help, and be involved in other people’s lives,” he says. These words are exemplified in his life of service. “It’s been a joy, being able to serve in both the church and community here. It’s just second-nature.” Jim Mundell was born in Philadelphia in 1936, then moved to Delaware County at the age of 4.

Meet Jim Mundell2025-03-07T16:29:44-05:00
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