At 95 years old, Cranston (or “Cran” as he likes to be called) has lived a robust life. He met his wife in Germany, and traveled there many times thereafter. After Cran’s wife immigrated to the US with her mother, they lived together in Edmonds, Washington.

As a former publisher one of Cran’s favorite pastimes is reading; both books and magazines. He was able to utilize his love of reading when he rehabilitated at The Kenney Nursing and Rehabilitation, as well as get out and about for activities and therapy.

“I was lucky to be taken such good care of,” says Cran of his stay at The Kenney. “The staff is really proficient and has expert knowledge. I try to keep smiling and happy with the treatment I’m getting.”

After being discharged from Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cran decided to stay on campus and move directly into an assisted living apartment at The Kenney. He has enjoyed his stay here thus far, and even has advice to potential residents.

“I would advise [new residents] to accept the opportunity and not have any reservations,” says Cran. “[It is a] nice place to stay and I have good companionship.”

Cran does hope that the continued care and rehabilitation he is receiving in The Kenney’s assisted living will enable him to one day manage to live again in his house in Edmonds.

The Kenney filled the bill, and “it felt like home,” she says. Ray, who has Parkinson’s disease, receives the skilled nursing care he requires in The Kenney’s health center, while Joan has the freedom and peace of mind to live an active, fulfilling life in the independent living residences. Best of all, the couple can be together. Most every day, they have breakfast and a pre-dinner cocktail together.

Without the heavy burdens of homeownership and caregiving, Joan can pursue her interests, which include art, needlepoint, reading and entertaining family. They reserve The Kenney’s community rooms for gatherings.

Among the many advantages to life at The Kenney are “the never agains,” she says. “I never again have to mow the lawn, or fix anything, or get on a ladder.”

At the same time, she’s finds plenty of fun things to do… like paint fish. She and fellow resident Alma Penberthy created “Kinetic Aquarium,” a colorful array of paper fish and sea life that hangs in the central stairwell of the main building and a favorite in the monthly West Seattle Art Walk. More fish will be arriving soon.

“It’s a work in progress,” Joan says.

Sharing Sunday mornings with another church proved problematic because the ideal late morning worship times preferred by Calvary Lutheran’s older members were already spoken for. That’s when Rev. Winterstein turned to The Kenney.

As a visiting pastor here for some two decades, he already was familiar with the people who lived here and the lovely little chapel in the Sunrise wing. Not only could Calvary Lutheran’s congregation have a new place to worship, but so could residents of The Kenney who did not already have their own church home.

Each Sunday at 10:30 a.m., the chapel is filled with 30 or so Calvary Lutheran members joined by a few residents of The Kenney. Rev. Winterstein says the relationship benefits the church, The Kenney and the entire community.

“It says a lot about The Kenney’s willingness to live their not-for-profit mission,” he says.

To show their appreciation, the congregation sponsors an annual reception for Kenney residents, contributes to The Kenney Foundation and even bought a sound system for Sunday services that The Kenney can use any other time of the week.

The relationship between The Kenney and Calvary Lutheran Church? It is, as they say, a marriage made in heaven.

He likes the homey atmosphere of The Kenney: the charming old buildings, the park-like grounds, the exercise room (which he resolves to use more often) and the staff. He’s particularly appreciative of an “IT guy” who helps him with computer issues.

He also likes his neighbors. On his way to his apartment, he runs into Bob. They chat about upcoming events and exchange jocular barbs before continuing on their separate ways. Stan apologizes to his guests for the delay.

“I can’t pass anyone without saying, ‘hello’,” he says.

Even so, Joan wasn’t sure she was ready when The Kenney called with an apartment opening. She “turned it over every which way” and ended up with many more pros than cons.

While she sometimes misses her house, she doesn’t miss the endless chores and responsibilities of homeownership. Now, if something breaks down in her Ballymena apartment, she just calls maintenance staff and they fix it.

“My life is very easy,” says Joan, who still works four days a week and serves on The Kenney Board of Directors. “I have free time. I can think about travel. And when I retire, I have a community waiting for me here.”

So, among many new faces were quite a few familiar ones – from school days, from church and from the garden club and other organizations. The couple soon became involved in exercise classes, Bingo games and Monday afternoon socials. John helped clean up the Hobby Shop, which he enjoys and uses often.

“We were made to feel right at home,” he says. The Kenney became home and family, both literally and figuratively. (One of John’s sons is married to the daughter of another Kenney couple, which makes family visits convenient.)

When Jackie died in December 2008, John was so firmly anchored to The Kenney, he didn’t dream of moving, except to an independent living apartment in the historic Seaview Building. There, he not only has a view, but has continued to find many new friends.