Royal OaksEngaging Inspired Vibrant

Retirement Living

Marilyn and Lee moved into Royal Oaks in 2008. Both were members of a grief support group they attended after their spouses passed away. Discovering many similar interests, they began dating, eventually marrying in 2007. A commercial real estate appraiser, Lee and his wife had made California their home, while Marilyn and her husband were across the U.S. on the other coast, leading an uncommon life in the world of show business.

After starting a singing career in Chicago radio while a student at Northwestern University, Marilyn and her late husband, an established radio actor, moved to New York City shortly after their marriage. She easily fit into small group work in singing commercials, television specials and backing up famous recording artists—think Tony Bennett, Eddy Fisher, Harry Belafonte, Louis Armstrong and Andy Williams. She landed a spot with The Ray Charles Singers on the Perry Como Show—

If these pages could talk about Marilyn Kluge and Lee Vore, they just may opt to sing their praises!

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Reaching Outto friends of Royal OaksSpring 2012

a “wonderful experience,” exclaims Marilyn—which lasted five years.

To hear Marilyn’s lovely voice, drop by the jukebox at Royal Oaks and plug in disk 08—yes our very own jukebox has Marilyn singing on it along with Perry Como on Wanted as well as several other hits. Check out Perry Como on YouTube and you may spot Marilyn, too! After 22 years in professional singing, she obtained a Master’s at Columbia University and taught choral and general music in Connecticut.

Since they both experienced the loss of their spouses, Lee and Marilyn appreciate the Lifecare Royal Oaks provides, particularly the luxury of staying on the campus should long-term care ever be necessary. Their four children from original marriages live in California, New Hampshire, Idaho, and Georgia and they have their own busy lives. “We definitely did not want to be a burden to any of our children,” says Lee. “They are thrilled by our decision.”

The son of former resident Mildred Whitaker, Chuck Lundeen became familiar with Royal Oaks when his mother moved here. During her tenure (1994-2007), Chuck became increasingly impressed with Royal Oaks’ superior care, elegant atmosphere, and commitment to excellence. The Lundeens researched many other retirement communities, but always came back to Royal Oaks, and became residents in January 2012.

Avid travelers, Chuck is a retired Hewlett-Packard engineer and

Joan is a retired cardiologist from New York. They are timeshare and RV enthusiasts and often spend

their summers in the cooler mountain air in Flagstaff. They also enjoy cruising, fine dining and playing cards.

The Lundeens have been vivacious ambassadors for Royal Oaks, introducing many of their friends to our campus, including Joan’s sister Virginia who moved into Royal Oaks in 2004. Virginia eventually met and married resident Walter Oleszkowicz in 2007. Walter is the father of our Resident Services Manager, Lori Waltz.

We wonder when Lori and husband John will join our Priority List!

They enjoyed visiting, so they moved in!

A self-described Air Force brat, Janet Spooner doesn’t let any grass grow under her feet! One of our most active volunteers, she and husband Lowell made their home in Arizona where both were educators, careers that spanned 30 years. They moved to Royal Oaks in 2007 after seeing the lifestyle and care Janet’s mother and father, Janet and John Keller, received when they lived here.

Janet’s mother was an Army nurse and then one of the original RNs that helped open up Boswell Hospital here in Sun City. Dad, after retiring from the Air Force, turned his hobby into a second career, creating stained glass windows for churches. They moved into Royal Oaks in 1993 and lived a very happy life here for years.

Janet is one busy Royal Oaker. In addition to her volunteer activities here as President of our Resident Council, Area Rep, and Boutique Volunteer, Janet gives back to the Sun City community by serving as the Secretary of the Board at Sunshine Services and as President of the Parish Advisory Board at her church, where she also teaches religion classes. For 18 years, she has been the Railette Chairwoman for the Pacific Southwest Region of the National Model Railroad Association. She and Lowell enthusiastically participate in lots of events and activities for this club, and their passion is evident in their apartment at Royal Oaks, where railroading is part of the décor! When this woman turns 70 in a couple of years, there’s no telling what new adventures will pique her interest!

Teaching and taking care of others in their blood

Cathy Gordon and Fran Krauss are sisters who live at Royal Oaks and they are part of our ever-growing “second generation” – children of former residents. Cathy and Fran who were so pleased with mom Doris Fillinger’s experience here (tenure 1993-2002) that they both moved in, Cathy in 2005 from California and Fran in 2008 from Connecticut.

These siblings are well aware of the “you never know what can happen” life situations. Both of their husbands passed away in their late 50s, leaving the two sisters on opposite coasts. When they would come to Royal

Oaks to see mom, they looked forward to the visits—the warmth of the campus AND residents are immediately evident. Cathy was on the waiting list for more than four years awaiting the ideal apartment, into which she moved when she was 65. Fran followed suit, arriving in 2008, and now that they live in the same community, they enjoy doing volunteer work together, with Meals on Wheels an activity they find particularly satisfying.

Fran is a retired speech pathologist, and Cathy, once a teacher, was also in the real estate field. Avid travelers

originally from Michigan, they are the new face of Royal Oaks—youthful, vibrant, funny, and involved!

Growing their own family tree at Royal Oaks

Pioneers and their children continue to influence “life at Royal Oaks”

In 1985, when Royal Oaks was in its infancy, Helen and Cullen Moore arrived as residents. Over the next 10 years, they started and cultivated many programs still in existence, such as the computer club, the in-house entertainment TV channel, and the New Horizons lecture series. They were a big influence on Royal Oaks history and an even bigger influence on daughter Shirley Hall, who moved into Royal Oaks in 2005 with husband Dale. Shirley and Dale live in a lovely garden home right next door to the garden home where Helen and Cullen resided!

After graduating from Columbia University as a nurse, Shirley

was fortunate to have lived in lots of interesting place with her then-husband, who was with the forest service. After his passing, she and Dale married and moved into Royal Oaks in 2005. Dale owned an interior carpentry business after retiring from the Air Force and he is a frequent

flyer in our woodshop, helping residents with repairs and even building some furniture. Using her computer and embroidery equipment, Shirley keeps “way too busy” embellishing garments with fun “tattoos,” a hobby she started after she ran out of places to put all her stained glass creations.

But their real passion is motor homing. They have

been all over the U.S. in the motor home they own and have also done extensive traveling in rented motor homes in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. They invite motor home enthusiasts to ask them about their adventures!

“One of the many things we love about Royal Oaks is the security,” explains Marilyn. “We are huge travel buffs and appreciate shutting the door, turning on the security system in our garden home, and going.” And do they ever “go.” They took nine trips in 2011, including three cruises—to South America, the Baltic, and Alaska.

“We also like the fact that we no longer have the problems of home ownership,” chimes in Lee.

“If a problem arises, a maintenance person comes immediately to fix it—and no charge! And yes, we really like having housekeeping and laundry service.”

All the services and amenities they receive on campus frees up this dynamic couple to have fun doing the things that keep them active. They are learning Spanish, take T’ai Chi, are ballroom dancers, and serve on the Research Institute committee,

one of the Pillars of Excellence at Banner Boswell Health Foundation. And now they are helping to launch The Learning Tree, the soon-to-debut continuing education program here at Royal Oaks.

“We thrive on learning and helping others with experiences that they may not have yet uncovered,” concludes Marilyn. “We can’t wait to see what next adventure is around the corner for us!”

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Royal Oaks is the only full Lifecare community in Sun City and one of only a handful of CCRCs in the country who have been granted an “A” rating by Fitch, a global credit rating organization.

Contact Marketing for further information: (623) 815-4132

Visit our interactive website: www.RoyalOaks.com

10015 W. Royal Oak Road, Sun City, AZ 85351

Thirteen years ago, Vivian Wood sold her home in Sun City West and moved to Royal Oaks. “Thirteen years of carefree living—and I expect lots more of

those years,” laughs Vivian. “At 89, I enjoy a busy life, secure in the knowledge that help is available if needed.”

Not much slows this spry woman down. When not volunteering at the at the Royal Oaks fitness center or library or playing mah jongg, Vivian can be found with her hiking group or a writers group—both connected to the American Association of University Women. In fact, the writers, all retired college educators, recently published a book; and the hikers just returned from trips to Tubac and Palm Springs.

Avid writer still penning at 89

• 71 teachers and 10 college-level educators/ professors, so we have lots of smart people!

• 21 nurses, 5 physicians, 3 pharmacists, 2 psychologists, 3 dentists, and 1 firefighter all live here, so we’re healthy and safe!

• Ifweneedsomethingfixed,oneofthe 25 engineers should be able to help.

• Wehave12 female and 6 male residents born between 1940–1947.

• 62 residents herald from Illinois, but only 1 person is from Korea!

The butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker aren’t here

However, our resident make-up includes: