Insights
The Blog of UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation
Talented Resident Family Entertains at Chelsea Retirement Community
Musical roots run deep in Chelsea Retirement Community resident Lillian Livingston’s family. Lillian’s mother was an opera singer in Vienna, Austria. Lillian is a retired piano faculty member from Rider University’s Westminster Choir College in New Jersey, located on the Princeton campus, where she taught for 39 years. Many of her students won competitions at…
Earl Avery â Helping Students Reach Their Dreams
Chelsea Retirement Community resident Earl Avery started his career in education as a science teacher in 1961. However, his student-focused approach led him to wonder, âWhat were their barriers to learning?â âI had the opportunity to take some counseling classes and got really excited,â explains Earl. He became a certified guidance counselor in 1965 and…
Cassie Lockwood: A Natural Caregiver
Caregiving comes naturally for Cassie Lockwood, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at UMRC’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (Kresge Center). The oldest of seven, including the youngest who has Down syndrome, Cassie says, “Taking care of my siblings has made me appreciate and love helping people.” Cassie believes it is important to set a good example…
Womenâs Army Corps (WAC) Member Estelle Novak Honored for Service in WW II
Women had not yet been given the right to vote when Estelle Jargello Novak was born on June 3, 1919 to Polish immigrant parents in Detroit. Still, during World War II, Estelle helped blaze an inspiring path for womenâs service in the military.Eager to do her part, Estelle served as a member of the Womenâs…
Moriah Gumbert Puts Staff Scholarship to Work
Moriah Gumbert says she’s always been a “rule follower.” That’s why her role as the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) Compliance Coordinator at Thome PACE in Jackson is perfect for her. Moriah prepares documentation for each participant, keeps track of reporting and assessments, and ensures that all regulations are met for state and federal audits. “Some people…
Focus on Faith: Rev. Jim and Mardi Maxwell Appreciate Independence and Inclusiveness
Rev. Jim Maxwell is a retired minister who served St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Ferndale from 1979 to 2004. His wife, Mardi is a retired social worker. Jim’s jogging buddy, a Methodist pastor, had mentioned UMRC to Jim. When a neuromuscular disease limited Jim’s mobility, he and Mardi decided to check it out. They moved…
Dick and Ann Kraft: 'As Active as We Want to Be'
Ann and Dick Kraft made Flint, Michigan their home for nearly 60 years. Dick was a civil engineer and owned his own company; Ann was a home economist. When it came time to retire, they chose Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC). “Because of our Methodist ties, we know about UMRC’s excellent reputation,” says Ann. Dick agrees:…
The Schuberts Give Back Through Service and Planned Giving
Caring for others has always been a passion for Paul and Connie Schubert. Paul was a Lutheran pastor- serving as far away as the Virgin Islands- before earning his Ph.D. in psychology and starting his own counseling practice. Connie worked with children as a psychiatric clinical nurse. in 2012, the Schuberts combined their love of…