Jan R, 80 years old
Jan has lived in Bozeman all her life. She went to MSU for home economics and her career was in the health field, long-term care. Her interests have always been in home economics and health. She loves researching, mostly from the bible, she would prefer someone with similar values and shares her Christian beliefs. Before COVID Jan found that she loved volunteering, since then she has volunteered with the senior center, public library, and Love Inc.
Jan has many interests and likes to keep busy. She had a Befriender for four years but they moved away a year ago and still keep in touch today. Jan loves the consistent, once-a-week meet-up. She loves libraries, touching fabric at fabric stores, feeding the fish at the fish tech center, walking around the park, driving in the country, heading to towns around Bozeman to see what they have to offer, and thrifting! Jan enjoys free events and is always looking to try something new. She can only walk slowly so someone to walk slowly with her is much appreciated. She is always delighted with her weekly visit. Someone who can offer an arm is gentle to her, as well as calm. Jan has a passion for helping live things like plants, pets, and people! Special Consideration: Failing hip which has slowed her down for walking.
Cynthia S, 94 years old
Cynthia lives between Bozeman and Belgrade with her Granddaughter. She used to run a daycare and was a dental assistant before retiring. Cynthia adopted two daughters and raised her adoptive grandchildren as well. She has been widowed for 29 years, she does live with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren but still feels lonely. She would like someone she can relate to and talk about things to relate about that she remembers from her generation. Cynthia enjoys reading but needs more hobbies in her life. A friend would be a great addition! She would like to get out in the town or have a visitor in her home as well. She is hoping for an older woman so they can relate more. She has never been to the senior center in Bozeman but would love to check it out! Special Consideration: Hearing loss but hears fine with hearing aids and uses a walker to get around.
Ellie T, 90 years old
Ellie lives in Bozeman, three blocks from the senior center. She often walks to the senior center to see friends and volunteer. Ellie has three children but only one lives in the Gallatin Valley. She loves gardening, used to do a lot of quilting, making friends, collecting rocks, and socializing. Ellie has a Befriender but she doesn’t drive so someone that could help Ellie with errands to the post office or grocery store. Ellie is very friendly and funny, she likes to laugh and talk about life. Special Consideration: Uses a cane to get around but still walks. When we were at her home she bent over and picked up a super heavy stone to show us!
Elsie M, 60 years old
Lives in Gallatin Rest Home on Durston. Elsie was an elementary school librarian and taught English. She is an exceptionally empathetic and open individual! She instilled these values into her children and hopes her new adopted grandson will be raised similarly. Elsie is in need of being rematched, her last befriender is still in her life but can’t be as consistent. Listening to audiobooks, embroidery, knitting, cooking, Sarah Bareilles (music), and playing Bingo although not for the prize. She has a husband and daughter who live in Bozeman but don't visit her often. She is young for a rest home and needs someone who will want to hang out with her each week. She enjoys visitors. Special Considerations: Has a disease in her cerebellum that slowly deteriorates her mobility, speech, and respiratory actions.
Glennis R, 81 years old
Glennis is from Columbus, Georgia. She moved to Bozeman in 2008 to be near her two daughters who were starting to have grandbabies. Glennis was a school teacher for many years, which led her to go to Japan to teach military families in school. Glennis was a Befriender volunteer years ago, she wants to get to know someone, likes to play games, and occasionally is hoping she could have a Befriender drive her van that carries her wheelchair. She would like to visit Walmart, a grocery store, or other ideas she and her Befriender can come up with. Special Considerations: Glennis was in a horrible car accident, she has some issues coming up with words sometimes, she uses a motorized wheelchair to get around, and has 6th nerve palsy in her left eye.
Dennis E, Male, 88 years old
Dennis is currently at Highgate Senior Living where he and his wife live. He is originally from Eastern Montana and was a school teacher and then a school administrator throughout his life. Dennis is very social and loves to crack jokes. He’s very kind and loves human connection. He enjoys playing cribbage, 7’s, and other games in his free time. Dennis is in need of being rematched, his last befriender was so sad to go but life got too busy, and he loved hanging out with Dennis. Dennis loves everyone and everything, he’s excited to play cards with his Befriender and get out into the community to grab a bite to eat or enjoy a cup of coffee. consideration: Dementia
Rodney S, Male, 87 years old
Rodney is originally from Texas. He attended the Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, founded by his great-great-grandfather. Later attended Long Island University where he earned his third degree in Education and Counseling. Rodney volunteered as an Army Chaplain after college, he was stationed in 11 different posts and even wrote a book about his two years in Vietnam! Rodney retired from the ministry and settled down in Montana with his wife Maria. Rodney loves to bird watch, woodwork, collect knives, and enjoy Montana’s Big Sky! Rodney hopes his Befriender will go for walks with him, hang out at the house, and maybe play some games. Special Consideration: Rodney has Parkinson's so his mobility is limited. Rodney is in Hospice as well, he is still very independent and drives.
Shirley E, 95 years old
Shirley has moved all around the U.S. She and her husband ran a ranch in Missoula and have two children. Her daughter is her caretaker and she loves her so much. Shirley was an avid teacher, she taught many different subjects such as Latin, English, and ancient history. Up until 6 years ago she taught bible study as well. Shirley loves her dog Cricket, along with reading and gardening. She would enjoy more socialization and spending time with someone. She is so sweet! Shirley is homebound but would love to go for a drive to look around town and spend time with a friend. She would love to have conversations and spend her days making new friends. Special Considerations: She uses a walker to get around, hearing loss, and short-term memory that has come on recently.
Elly S, 84 years old
Elly lives near the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital and she is a retired teacher. Elly is originally from Minneapolis but moved here in the 70’s. She has one son that lives in Bozeman and another that lives in Miles City. Elly enjoys birds, music, and art. Elly would like to run errands with her Befriender, she wants to get photos printed, go to the post office, and loves working on crafts. Elly is very calm and likes to stay busy but does spend time alone. She is a part of the Bozeman Choir but her doctor recommended she be more social. Elly has trouble coming up with words so conversation can take some time but she is still very independent in many ways. Special Considerations: Cognitive impairment so hard for her to come up with words but can recall everything.
Gwen L, 95 years old
Gwen resides at Brooklyn Spring Meadows, she is so lovely and kind. She loves it when people visit her, it’s not too often she gets company but she considers the staff there her good friends. She appreciates social connection and would love to have a companion with whom she could talk about life and her Christian values. She also would love to get out for a drive and possibly do activities with her. She is wheelchair-bound but is working on building more strength in her hip so she can walk again. Gwen loves to do Art and read her bible. She has a very strong connection with God, he is a big part of her life. She would benefit from someone who has beliefs similar to hers. Gwen also loves Beets and appreciates it when friends bring them to her! Special Considerations: Gwen has some hearing loss and limited mobility but can get around in a wheelchair. She may have some short-term memory as well.
Sonja B, 84 years old
Sonja lives alone in Belgrade, her neighbors who were a big support system for her recently moved to Ennis. She calls herself a horseaholic and has a huge passion for them, along with being a 4H leader for 50 years. Sonja said she is lonesome because she is no longer able to drive. She would like to run errands with her befriender and keep socializing with people. She enjoys community activities, telling life stories, and leaving the house. Sonja said her house is hard to get into so she prefers to meet up for outings. Sonja is very social and enjoys human connection. Special Consideration: She was recently diagnosed with dementia, she is still independent but no longer drives due to high blood pressure.
Mike M, male, 62 years old
Mike is originally from Las Vegas, he’s been in Montana for thirty years now and lives across from Bozeman High. Mike worked on irrigation systems for his career, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and his four children. Mike enjoys conversation, he is still somewhat independent and lives alone. He spends a lot of time watching YouTube such as cops, arrests, and other videos he finds funny or intriguing. Mike has four children with whom he is still very close. He would enjoy a friend who would like to come in and chat with him. He doesn’t want to get out much due to being on Oxygen 24/7. Mike is charming, he likes to laugh, is not afraid to swear, and visits his Grandchildren. Special Considerations: Oxygen 24/7 which causes him to be short of breath and limits his mobility.
Michael L, male, 82 years old
Michael lives at the Gallatin Rest Home, he is very social, loves human connection, and enjoys people visiting him. Michael was a great pool player and loves to talk about his awards. He served 2 tours in Vietnam and was a Navy Chief. He moved here from Utah years ago. Due to a car accident Michael has trouble keeping his balance and uses a walker. He is excited for a Befriender because he likes to help people so anyone to help him is great! Special Considerations: Mobility and since he is at the GRH he is not allowed to leave unless accompanied by a caretaker.
MaryKay M, 74 years old
Mary Kay is a longtime resident of Bozeman, she is a mother of two and also a great aunt. She loves sports, reading, and Gallatin Valley History! Mary Kay lives with her daughter behind Main Street. She enjoys socializing and she’s hoping to find a friend who wants to sit and talk at her home, maybe occasionally visit a museum or community event. A Befriender on the weekends is great too! Special Consideration: memory loss so occasionally can’t recall certain events and hearing loss. Her mobility is limited as well.
Marcy V, Livingston, 71 years old
Marcy lives in Livingston with her 3 cats, she enjoys socializing and doing different hobbies with people in her home. Marcy is an artist, she worked for Disney as well as owned a stained glass business. Marcy is very isolated, she never leaves her home due to her physical health. Marcy often sits by her landline so she can answer if someone calls. Marcy is a very selfless person but does not have much support. A befriender who would be willing to help with small tasks would be beneficial. Marcy is in Livingston so if anyone knows of someone over there who wants to volunteer, we would love to connect them! Special Considerations: Marcy uses a walker and does not leave her home due to her mobility.
Ginny W, 77 years old
Ginny currently resides at Brookdale Spring Meadows but is originally from Illinois. She has 6 sisters with whom she is still very close, they Zoom every Saturday! Ginny is very social, she loves to converse and it’s not hard to come up with a conversation when talking with Ginny. She was a librarian at MSU as well as a counselor for many years, she even holds two master's degrees. Ginny appreciates people from different cultures and always wants to learn. She enjoys talking about genetics, big families, and lots of other science-based topics. overall though she said she likes talking about anything and everything. Ginny is a Quaker and would like to discuss religion, she is open to everyone but mentioned she is okay not talking about it either to be respectful. Ginny is great and excited for a Befriender! Special Considerations: Ginny has poor short-term memory so she will ask questions she's asked more than once, but always brings a new fact to the question you repeat. She is also wheelchair-bound but would really like a visitor.
Lorna N, 83 years old Match in progress
Lorna was born and raised in Montana. She moved to Bozeman from Sydney when she was a kid and has stayed ever since. Lorna has a huge musical background, she was an Oboist for the Bozeman Symphony, taught at MSU in the music department, and was her church organist. Lorna has traveled to 19 countries and spent a year in Denmark. She loves traveling, talking about travels, gardening, genealogy, and playing her church organ. Lorna still drives and lives alone. Her daughters live out of town but visit as often as they can. Lorna enjoys laughing and talking about life. Special Considerations: Lorna has recently had trouble coming up with words but still carries on with the conversation just fine.
Karen N, 74 years old
Karen lives in Belgrade in assisted living, she moved here to be closer to her Son. She was an ASL interpreter and a special ed teacher. Karen used to play instruments such as the flute, oboe, and bassoon. She is very kind and friendly. She enjoys telling stories and she has had a very interesting life. She possibly would like to attend a Lutheran church with someone but also is okay if her Befriender doesn’t want to do that. Overall Karen needs more social connection, she said she isn’t much of a shopper but more of a chocolate milkshake kind of person. She is looking forward to getting a friend and making new connections. Special Considerations: Karen has Parkinson's which also limits her mobility. She has some cognitive decline from her Parkinson's which can cause some confusion.
Suzy S, 79 years old
Suzy was originally from Illinois but moved to MT 40 years ago. She recently was moved into memory care and had a Befriender who moved away. Her husband said Suzy benefited greatly from having a Befriender and a younger volunteer is better for her too. Suzy was a social worker and had her own practice. She loves human connection and being around people. Suzy is obsessed with her dog and is a huge dog lover! A Befriender that will want to get her out of the facility to go for walks, lunch, and to get outside more. Special Consideration: Suzy has early/mid Alzheimer's, she will need someone who can encourage her to do things because she changes her mind often.
Nora L, 79 years old
Nora is awesome! She has been in Bozeman for 32 years, she is very kind, funny, and loves to conversate about anything. She is very open to the world around her and understands that life is full of hardships, she has always opened her doors to people who need someone to talk to. Nora plays the accordion and loves to do Puzzles. She has two cats that she loves dearly and likes to keep busy. She spends her time sowing, embroidery, puzzles, and driving herself to the senior center. She would love to make a new friend and loves going out to eat! Nora lives near Oak and 19th. Special Considerations: Nora can walk around but uses a walker to help her, she has some vertigo and is losing her vision.
