By Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N.
Picture: left to right: Dr. Christian Furman, vice chair for geriatric medicine, University of Louisville; Gold Standard Award for Optimal Aging winner Rachele “Rae” Guernsey of Louisville; and Dr. James O’Brien, chair of the Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine at the University of Louisville.
I recently attended the First Annual University of Louisville’s Geriatric Gold Standard Award for Optimal Aging luncheon and award ceremony. Mac McClure, Chair of the UofL Geriatrics Advisory Board, introduced his wife, Tori Murden McClure as the keynote speaker.
Tori Murden McClure is the current president of Spalding University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Smith College, a Master of Divinity from Harvard University and a juris doctorate from the University of Louisville’s Louis D. Brandeis School of Law. She also earned a master of fine arts writing from Spalding University.
Even with all her education, Tori is someone who knows a lot about staying active: She was the first woman and first American to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean and to travel over land to the geographic South Pole, skiing 750 miles from the ice shelf to the pole. An avid mountaineer, Tori has climbed on several continents. She is a fully certified emergency medical technician in both urban and wilderness area. She is also a graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) where she currently serves as the chair of the board of trustees.
But after reviewing the active lifestyles of award winner, Rachele “Rae” Guernsey and the other 21 honorees, as a 61-year old grandmother myself, I thought, “holy cow, I need to step up my pace.”
It was such a joy to learn about all of the honorees and how they continue to be involved in activities they are passionate about from being active in the community, in their church and in their families. The honorees are definitely role models for me as I grow older. For example, J. Russell Stein, 83, learned to downhill ski at age 73 and is still skiing. (Not even thinking about taking up skiing, though). Dr. Stuart Urbach, 86, volunteers and works as a physician for the prison. He plays tennis, hikes and is a musician in the Doctors Band.
Rachele “Rae” Guernsey, Winner of the Gold Standard for Optimal Aging
Rachele “Rae” Guernsey of Louisville, who celebrated her 82nd birthday on Sept. 21, was named today as the first recipient of the Gold Standard Award for Optimal Aging, presented by University of Louisville Geriatrics.
Guernsey was chosen from a field of 22 nominees by the geriatricians and staff of UofL Geriatrics and the UofL Geriatrics Advisory Board, a group of volunteers interested and involved in caring for geriatric patients.
“The award is presented for optimal aging across the full spectrum of physical health, mental health, social health and spiritual health,” said Christian Davis Furman, M.D., vice chair for geriatric medicine. “We want to honor those who are role models for maintaining active engagement with life well into their senior years.”
A widow with two children and three grandchildren, Guernsey exemplifies optimal aging throughout all facets of her life. She enjoys both daytime and overnight hiking, practices yoga and is in an exercise program at her YMCA. She has been a member of the same book club for the past 35 years and is active in her church, Springdale Presbyterian, where she serves on the membership committee.
Guernsey also is a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity-Metro Louisville and has served on its Family Selection Committee for 15 years. In the past five years, she traveled to Guatemala with Habitat and to Belize and Nicaragua with Hand in Hand Missions. This spring, she drove first to Wisconsin to pick up her two sisters and then to Montana for her nephew’s wedding – a trip of 5,000 miles in which she was the sole driver.
Leyda Smith of Louisville nominated Guernsey for the award and cited her caring and upbeat attitude.
“Best of all, she is a wonderful friend with a great sense of humor and a super positive attitude,” Smith said. “She likes movies, keeps up with the news and enjoys going to Churchill Downs and out for lunch and dinner.”
Guernsey herself maintains that a balanced outlook is key.
“I believe the secret to optimal aging is: Don’t think too little or too much of yourself,” she said. “Your body and your mind both need regular attention; your friends and family need your attention with love and respect as well. Listen to God for guidance, and at the same time, don’t take life too seriously.”
Other Honorees
Edward Triner, 80, is a veteran and a standardized patient at UofL Medical and Dental Schools. Among his memberships are the Ky. Society of National History and Serenity Hikers.
Kathleen Sullivan, 82, is a retired nurse, and is very active in the Serenity Hikers. She has been a member of her book club for over 35 years.
Nancy Leavell, 94, has owned and operated her beauty salon for some 70 years. She has to two clients and charges $1 to $1.50 per permanent. She enjoys playing the piano, traveling and staying active.
Stephen Burns, 92, helps with the Rosary every morning in the chapel at Sacred Heart Village. He is very health conscious and always willing to allow UofL medical students to interview him during their clinical rotations.
Ruth Kitchen, 81, is very genuine in her actions and is the support and heart of her social group. She traveled from Lexington to be with us today.
Alfred Boice, 83, is on the Board of Louisville Photographic Society. He recently took outstanding pictures at Mother’s Celebration Tea at Episcopal Church Home.
Dorothy Bratcher, 92, has held numerous job titles but her main focus in life is being a Christian, housewife, homemaker, mother and grandmother. She is active in her community and church.
Gloria Lewis, 82. Dec. 4, 2005, was declared “Gloria Lewis Day” by Mayor Jerry Abramson in recognition of her accomplishments in the National Guild of Piano Teachers recognizing her 50 years of teaching.
Rosene Kerr-Singleton, 90, loves to travel and still performs with a senior group singing and doing comedy routines. She was named Ms. Senior Kentucky in 1997.
Dr. Jack Wright, 84, former chair of the Department of Family & Geriatric Medicine, was instrumental in starting UofL Geriatrics. He enjoys working ski patrol at a local ski resort.
Sam Andes, 101, is an avid reader and retired past the age of 93 from his job as an electrical engineer. He is an honorary professor with the UofL Geriatrics Student Interest Group.
Margaret Pederson celebrated her 90th birthday a few days ago by performing pieces of classical music including a concerto by Rachmaninoff. She walks for exercise, and Tori Murden McClure gave her walking sticks so she could walk faster and keep good balance.
Jessie M. Harris, 89, has served tirelessly as a volunteer at the Plymouth Settlement House for over 20 years. Twice a week at St. Stephen Church, her group creates picture books for students.
Edna Keeling, 87, has volunteered for over 35 years in Friendship International. She continues to walk several miles at least 5 days a week.
Mary Hal Hoagland, 90, has a positive attitude, love of life, as well as physical and mental beauty. She is an inspiration for everyone at the Episcopal Church Home.
Dr. Stuart Urbach, 86, volunteers and works as a physician for the prison. He plays tennis, hikes, and is a musician in the Doctors Band.
J. Russell Stein, 83, learned to downhill ski at age 73 and is still skiing. He is a consultant to Corning, Inc., where he was employed for 32 years. He served in the U.S. Navy and is a WWII veteran.
Stella Spears, 81, works out at least 3 days a week, is a member of Serenity Hikers, and volunteers her time to create the “Meditation Garden” at her church.
Lummie Bauer, 84, has sold Avon for over 35 years and has been top seller in Louisville for at least 12 years. She is very computer literate and inputs all her Avon orders on the computer.
Elodia Dennis, 94, sews and can make almost anything. Everyone in her apartment building considers her their “Granny.”
Mary Jane Mullins, 80, has won numerous medals in swimming at the Senior Olympics. She did not begin swimming competitively until she was in her 50s.
Dr. Virginia Keeney …
Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N, is a registered dietitian (www.DayByDayNutrition.com) who has been teaching healthy lifestyles strategies to consumers for over 35+ years. Check out Barbara’s new healthy lifestyles website: www.KentuckianaHEALTHwellness.com.
