5 min read
Estate Planning for Seniors
According to a 2021 Caring.com survey, only 44% of adults over 55 have estate planning documents. While the reasons for...
2 min read
Richmond, IN – September 2024: Friends Fellowship Community is proud to celebrate the remarkable life of resident Anna Lou Arnett, who turned 100 this past July. Born on July 22, 1924, at Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, Anna Lou has lived a century full of rich memories and experiences. To honor her milestone birthday, Friends Fellowship staff recently helped Anna Lou fulfill a heartfelt wish to visit her late husband's gravesite in Winchester, Indiana.
Anna Lou celebrates her 100th birthday with her family
Anna Lou’s life journey began in Park Ridge, Illinois, where she was raised during the Great Depression. Despite the hardships of the era, her family was fortunate that her father maintained his employment with AT&T, allowing them to thrive while many around them struggled. Anna Lou recalls fond memories of summers filled with the fruits of her family’s apple trees and her mother’s delicious pies.
Anna Lou attended Olney Friends School in Ohio and pursued nurse’s training in Chicago during World War II. It was during this time that she met and fell in love with Raymond Arnett, a farmer from Union City, Ohio. Their romance blossomed through letters while Raymond was stationed in Iceland. They were married in 1945 when Raymond returned home on leave. The couple enjoyed 70 happy years of marriage, raising four children and creating a legacy of love, hard work, and devotion.
Raymond Arnett
Throughout her life, Anna Lou has been deeply involved in her community and church, teaching nursery school, leading Girl Scouts, and researching family genealogy. Even after retiring, she and Raymond continued to be active in their local community and traveled extensively. Anna Lou has visited all 50 U.S. states, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Canada, and Mexico.
When asked what advice she has for younger generations, Anna Lou thoughtfully responded, “Pick out a good man.” It’s clear her relationship with Raymond was one of the greatest joys of her life.
Recently, with the help of Friends Fellowship Community’s Life Enrichment team and Medi-Trek Transportation, Anna Lou was able to visit her husband Raymond’s gravesite in Winchester, Indiana. The trip, made possible through the generosity of Medi-Trek owner Rob Baughman, was a deeply meaningful experience for Anna Lou. Reflecting on his time with Anna Lou, Rob shared, “All the stories she told us about Winchester, her husband, and their life together kept us entertained the entire drive. It was a privilege to be a part of such a special moment in her life.”
Rob Baughman of Medi-Trek Transportation assists Anna Lou
Anna Lou remains an active part of the Friends Fellowship Community, enjoying games, birdwatching and sharing her incredible life stories with friends and staff. As she reflects on her century-long journey, Anna Lou says she doesn’t feel 100 years old and wonders what that age is supposed to feel like.
For more information about Friends Fellowship Community and how we support our residents in living meaningful and fulfilling lives, please explore our website or contact us at 765-962-6546.