Tallahassee Senior Center's Silver Stars share secrets to life

Eight outstanding “Silver Stars” will be recognized at the Tallahassee Senior Center's 21st annual Silver Stars celebration from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 18, at FSU's Dunlap Champions Club. Each recipient at the annual gala is honored for their service.

With unique backgrounds and various life achievements, these individuals exemplify living an active, full and engaged life. Their stories and achievements serve to encourage all of us to live well and stay involved in our community, develop new hobbies and continue to learn.

Silver Stars is presented by Tallahassee Senior Center & Foundation and Capital Health Plan. For information, visit TallahasseeSeniorFoundation.org/Silver-Stars.

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Marina Brown

Multi-talented Marina Brown has had various careers and a fascinating life of travel and adventure. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the only child of a plumber and a homemaker. Her dad gave her the name Marina after the U.S. Marine Corps. Her dream to be a ballet dancer was inspired when she first saw a pair of pointe shoes and she started dance lessons at age 8.

At 15, Marina was invited to join the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and danced with them for five years before joining the American Festival Ballet. Her successful ballet career was cut short at the age of 21 when she broke her Achilles tendon while rehearsing for a tour.

Marina got her GED and received a scholarship to study nursing. She had a rewarding career as a psychiatric, operating room, and a hospice nurse. Marina married a professor, moved to Florida, and adopted three children. They spent summers in France and she learned to speak French. As an adult, she took up the cello and eventually became 4th chair cello in the Tampa Bay Symphony Orchestra.

After her first marriage ended, she married an Admiral in the Navy and learned to sail. They spent 14 years sailing to places like South America, and even living on a sailboat for three years. While sailing, she began to write articles for the St. Petersburg Times.

Marina's key to active, positive aging is “to try new things, ignore aches and pains, act the age you feel inside.” After relocating to Tallahassee, she discovered a community of dancers and joined a Flamenco Dance group and an Argentine Dance group.

She found love again and married her husband, Doug Kiliman. She continued her writing career with the Tallahassee Democrat and Tallahassee Magazine. She earned a Master’s degree in Nursing Education. She learned to speak Italian, joined the Tallahassee Writers Association, and is now the author of three medal-winning novels, a book of short stories, and a book of poetry.

Marina is also a gifted artist who paints in watercolors and pastels. She has had exhibitions at the Gadsden Arts Center, the Meek-Eaton Black Archives, and LeMoyne. She has taught Art and Lifelong Learning for the Tallahassee Senior Center and a writing class for OLLI.

Her free time is spent going to the gym and playing ping pong at the TSC. Marina’s advice to others is to “try new things, when a door shuts, go in a new direction, and embrace it. If you are bored or depressed, do one creative thing each day.” - Maureen Haberfeld

Jane Greene

Jane Greene, 84, has a love of knowledge and teaching and “will teach anyone, anything they want to know!” For over 17 years, she has been the beloved volunteer nurse in the Tallahassee Senior Center’s Health Suite. She checks participants’ blood pressure, performs glucose screenings, answers health-related questions, and educates them about how to maintain good health.

Since childhood, Jane had always wanted to be a nurse, but was discouraged by her mother. At age 38, she entered and graduated from an LPN program, and 10 years later, she decided to pursue her degree as a Registered Nurse, graduating two months before her 50th birthday! Jane says it’s important to note that she “was not the oldest person in her class!”

During her many years as a nurse in South Florida, she worked in a variety of settings, including psychiatrics, cardiac care, and surgery. Before becoming a nurse, Jane worked in banking, the oil industry, and at an adoption agency.

Jane has always been an active member of the community. As a full-time stay-at-home mother to her four children, she was involved in their schools and their multitude of activities, which included serving as PTA president and girls’ softball coach.

Jane welcomes participants and assists with check-in at the Tuesday morning Life Exercise class at TSC, a role she accepted as one of the first volunteers to return after reopening from COVID. Jane is also a longtime member of the Senior Singers group that meets weekly and performs at local assisted living facilities. She is a 2015 graduate of the TSC’s Tallahassee Active Lifelong Leaders program.

Jane finds humor in the world around her. When asked about her secret to successful aging, she says, “Honestly, I believe that the secret is staying active and involved.” She credits her busy social life, and her love of games and puzzles. She stays physically active by walking, participating in water aerobics, and doing her own yardwork (except the mowing)! - Ruth Nickens

James Hinson

Jim Hinson is a familiar figure around the Senior Center. He and his wife, Anne, first became involved by joining the square dancers in 1989. The Barbershop group soon caught his interest and he sang with them for several years.

Jim became an official volunteer in 2005 in the Senior Center’s Health Suite, where he assisted with blood pressure and glucose checks. Currently he helps track volunteer time and maintains the accuracy of the “My Senior Center” database. On Friday afternoons, you can find him working on a project with the Model Builders group at the Senior Center, which he has been part of since 1998. He’s been working on a model of the USS Constitution for over 20 years.

A native of Miami, Jim remembers biking all over the city for his first job, delivering pharmaceuticals. He was the first student to enroll and be accepted in Florida Presbyterian (now Eckerd) College, where he pursued a degree in Biology with a focus on Pre-Med. Jim went on to earn his MS in Public Health from Tulane University.

With a career spanning 40 years, Jim began working in 1960 at the Florida Department of Health, where he served as Communicable Disease Investigator. The most meaningful program was the Organ Donor Education Program that was recognized with a Congressional Record. Jim retired in 2004 after working 12 years as Logistics Officer with the Office of Emergency Operations.

In addition to his TSC duties, Jim plays violin in the Thomasville Road Baptist Church orchestra. A trained puppeteer, he is actively involved in “His Hands Puppets” ministry at his church.

Married for 58 years, Jim and Anne have two daughters and 10 grandchildren. The couple have enjoyed traveling, including five cruises to Alaska. He likes spending time with Anne and taking care of his bird feeders; he currently has bluebirds living in the bluebird house.

Jim said that his proudest accomplishments are his children. As far as advice for other seniors, he emphatically states, “stay active!” His background in public health taught him how important it is to keep both mind and body working and functioning. - Judy Shipman

Henry Lowery

Henry Lowery doesn’t let anything get in his way. Born in Carrabelle, he was bused to school in nearby Apalachicola until his high school years. He faced adversity at a new high school, but after he and his brothers excelled in baseball and football and the school started winning games, the discrimination stopped.

Upon graduation and against his father’s wishes, Henry became a Marine. He honorably served his country with two tours in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Beirut, Lebanon, and Grenada.

While stationed in Parris Island as a drill instructor, Henry met his future wife, Mona Lisa, who worked in the mailroom. When Henry asked for her number, she declined. She didn’t want to date a soldier. Henry persisted and eventually Mona Lisa agreed to a date. They married in 1972 and have two children, six grandchildren, and a beautiful great-granddaughter.

Henry trained hundreds of Marines for combat during his years at Quantico, Virginia, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and 29 Palms, California. He was personally invested in their success and more importantly, in their survival. Henry says helping other soldiers and veterans “gives me peace and I feel like I’ve done something good for an American. I sleep better at night.”

After 33 years of active duty, Chief Warrant Officer Lowery was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps. He returned to his hometown of Carrabelle and was tasked by the Sheriff to help organize the Camp Gordon Johnston WW II Museum. Six months later, he moved to Tallahassee, training workers for his family’s business, Lowery Masonry & Construction, Co.

Henry volunteers his time at the Tallahassee National Cemetery, the American Legion, the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, and many local and national organizations. In March 2015, Henry became a founding member of the Big Bend Hospice Valor Team. The Valor Team is a group of volunteer veterans who honor veterans at the end of life by recognizing their service to their country with a moving service that includes their family members. “Veterans don’t need to leave this earth without the respect they deserve,” Henry said.

Henry has lived a full life of service to his country, to his family, and to veterans. He has satisfied fulfilling all the dreams on his bucket list and now looks forward to watching his granddaughter graduate from Maclay. His next goal is to help her pursue her dream of becoming an astronaut.

Henry says he’d “like young people to know that veterans risked their lives for you to have the freedom to live your life.”

Henry is the recipient of over 25 awards and honors but he’ll tell you that the secret to living a full life is to put others first, to be prepared, train for the unexpected and to honor veterans. It’s not surprising that Henry’s motto is “Always faithful.” Semper Fi! - Lisa Baggett

Dr. Charles Moore

Dr. Charles Moore still hasn’t retired. Sure, he retired from his surgical practice in 2008 after more than 35 years, but that only allowed him more time to assume other responsibilities and hobbies.

Moore was born in St. Louis, and grew up in Charleston, Missouri, which he describes as “a flat, hot, cotton country.” As a boy, he loved reading books from poetry to fiction and biographies. One biography of “an English surgeon who developed techniques for reconstructing the faces of young soldiers mutilated in World War I,” was influential to Charles and inspired him to pursue his medical degree from the University of Missouri.

After closing his practice, Moore joined the nonprofit organization MEDASSIST US after a friend described the surgical needs of orphans born with congenital anomalies in Crimea. He visited Ukraine annually, performing surgical procedures at the Republic Children’s Hospital of Simferopol.

His years of experience there “granted me further insight into the oneness of us all, the benediction of being born healthy and whole,” and gave him compassion for those born otherwise. He stopped performing surgeries in 2014 but remains an appointed board director for MEDASSIST.

Moore wrote a collection of essays, “The Good, the Bad, and the Homely,” about his time helping the children in Ukraine. And a few years ago, he thought it would be fun to teach sixth graders to appreciate “the names of the great poets of the English language.” He taught the “History of Anglo-American Poetry, Chaucer to Dr. Suess” so that students “might remember that words can be beautifully used.”

When asked what advice he has for young people, Dr. Moore hesitates “to threaten a young person with ‘advice.’” In addition to don’t smoke and remember to floss, “Grasp the chance that life magically grants us to learn how to ever better enjoy the opportunity given us to work, to play, and to love,” he said. “The secret to aging well is simple. Embrace the present and have hope for the future. Do something.”

And for Moore, that something is working several part-time jobs: reviewing applications with the Office of Disability Determinations, counseling patients on the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight and as editor of the Capital Medical Society newsletter. “Don’t be afraid to try new things!” - Lisa Baggett

Gladys Roann-Watson

Gladys Roann-Watson has been a lifelong advocate for children. After growing up in rural Jefferson County as the oldest of six children, Gladys’ natural affinity to be a caretaker and community builder led her to study Nursing-Health Care Education and pursue a Bachelor of Nursing from Florida State University. Gladys continued her academic career at Florida State and received a Master’s of Social Work degree. Her career in public health spanned over 39 years.

For three decades, Gladys served as Lead Nurse for the Jefferson County School District. Her passion for meeting the needs of those who were underserved was evident as she focused on helping children reach their fullest potential. To Gladys, her greatest accomplishment was the positive impact she had on the kids.

Since retirement, Gladys has remained a prominent voice for children in the Jefferson County community. She has served on several Boards including the Jefferson County School Board and the Jefferson County Youth Council to further promote youth development and leadership opportunities. She was one of the original members of the Healthy Start Coalition for Jefferson, Madison, and Taylor Counties.

Gladys is married to Chief Kent Watson, a veteran who served in the US Armed Forces for over 34 years. Kent shares Gladys’ passion for empowering children as he helped inspire young people as the past Department Head of the JROTC at Jefferson County High School.

Gladys has brought her special touch to many projects, including writing grants for the preservation and restoration of several historical properties. She and her husband still live in the historic home built by Gladys’ grandfather over 100 years ago. In their downtime, they enjoy traveling to visit National Historic sites, landmarks, and monuments. Gladys has three children who she sees as her proudest achievement.

Gladys attributes her active lifestyle to her ability to advocate for issues she is passionate about and being surrounded by those who inspired her and kept her resilient. Gladys encourages others to participate in activities that fulfill them and always take time to “smell the roses.” - Sarah Vernon

Jill Sandler

Jill Sandler is doing retirement right. She planned ahead by saving money and finding activities to keep her busy before her last day as a state administrator. She’ll tell you one of the perks of being retired is having her Sundays back. No more preparing for the work week ahead. But her schedule is packed full on the other six days of the week.

Jill has been a volunteer with the Tallahassee Senior Center’s Advisory Council and Arts Council for many years. She also assisted the Tallahassee Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit by getting background information for people who’d been victims of crime and participated in the Citizens’ Police Academy. She’s worked with Grace Mission providing services to people experiencing homelessness and ride assistance.

Jill volunteers as the Chair of the Health Services Committee at Westminster Oaks where she enjoys the community’s activities and has friends of all ages. “Everyone looks out for each other,” she says. Jill helped organize an independent living seminar at Westminster Oaks. She’d like to continue to assist more people in this area by educating them about their options before they transition to retirement.

Participating in pickleball and water aerobics several times a week keeps Jill physically active. She even has a personal trainer she works with weekly to keep her fit. Jill’s advice to both young and old is to “take care of your body, watch out for your knees, stay busy, have people to play with, and take advantage of the activities at the Tallahassee Senior Center.”

Jill is an avid Mah-Jongg player and established the Mah-Jongg group at the TSC in 2012. The group started with one table and grew to five tables prior to the pandemic. She loves to teach others how to play Mah-Jongg and has developed lasting friendships with other players.

Jill’s true passion however is doting on her two dogs, Buddy and Max. Buddy is 11 years old, blind, and has only one ear. Max is seven and belonged to Jill’s sister, Andrea, before she passed. Jill says with a laugh, “A lot of my life is managing dogs!”

When asked her secret to positive aging, Jill responded, “caring about people, having things to do, thinking about your future and your financial health, establishing relationships, helping others, and accepting help when needed.” - Melanie Lachman

Freida Travis

On Wednesday afternoons you will be greeted at the Tallahassee Senior Center with a warm smile from Freida Travis, Volunteer Receptionist. After participating in the Tallahassee Senior Center’s Tallahassee Active Lifelong Leaders program in 2011, Freida began volunteering at the TSC, first as a member of the Advisory Council and then as a front desk receptionist.

Freida grew up in rural Evans County, Georgia. When speaking of her childhood, Freida’s face lights up as she recalls happy memories of school and playing outside with her siblings and friends. Freida said her “heart belonged to her father.” A strong influence in her life, she has fond memories of the active role he played and the big family meals he would cook. Freida graduated valedictorian of her high school and went on to major in Chemistry at Savannah State College.

After graduating college, Freida accepted a position with the National Institute of Health in Washington, D.C. While living in D.C., Freida met her husband, a law student. Once the pair got married, they moved to Boca Raton before relocating to Tallahassee, which has been her home for the past 51 years. After having children, Freida enrolled at Florida State University and got her Master’s of Science degree in Community Health Education.

She began working at Department of Health, where her career spanned 35 years. At DOH, Frieda used her background as an EMT to help innovate the field of Prehospital Medical Services by developing and evaluating standards for accreditation of emergency medical services training centers. Freida guided EMS programs though accreditation and, by the time she retired in 2010, all EMS programs in Florida had been accredited.

Freida took an active role in working with the governments of Haiti, Jamaica, and the Bahamas to develop their EMS programs.

Since retirement, Freida’s dedication to the field of Emergency Medicine has continued. She volunteered with the Leon County Disaster Preparedness Team, participating in a mock plane crash at Tallahassee International Airport. She has also taken time for herself and fulfilled a lifelong dream of taking a Baltic Cruise, which included visiting Russia and Germany.

Freida shares her secrets to active living, “I exercise on my treadmill at least five days a week, do stretching exercises in the mornings, read books and play games, solve puzzles, host family gatherings and volunteer at the senior center.” - Sarah Vernon

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tallahassee Senior Center honors 8 Silver Stars at gala