Not only is Akira Watanabe a proud husband, grateful father, and skilled pharmacist, he is also very content with the life he and his family have built.

Akira and his wife, June, came to Sterling Court about a year and a half ago. “The people here are very nice,” says Akira. “Plus, the food is good and plentiful. I gained 10 pounds!”

That may explain his schedule. Every morning, Akira works out in the gym, first with weights and then by walking 2,000 steps on the treadmill. At night, he exercises for 30 minutes before bed. He also keeps his mind sharp by playing bridge at least three times a week, both with other Sterling Court residents and online.

Akira’s parents met after his father came to San Francisco from Japan in the 1930s to work and send money back home. The couple settled in Japantown, where Akira was born in 1934. “It was really nice,” says Akira about growing up there. “My friends were all great and we grew up together.” His father worked as a bank teller and his mother as a housewife.

Akira was 7 years old when the U.S. entered World War II. Like many Japanese Americans in the area, he and his family were sent to a temporary detention camp at the Tanforan Racetrack in San Bruno, where Akira’s sister was born. “We were living in the horse stalls, but there was a hospital there,” says Akira. After three months, they were sent by train to the permanent camp in Topaz, Utah.

“Japanese people are pretty hearty,” says Akira. “I did very well in the camp.” The dust storms were terrible, he says, but the hardest part was that his father was sent to a different camp. They reunited in 1945 at the end of the war.

“Fortunately, my grandfather held onto our property in San Francisco,” says Akira. His savvy grandfather had arrived in San Francisco shortly before the 1906 earthquake and, luckily, left the family property in the care of a neighbor. After the war, the family started a grocery store.

After high school, Akira attended UC Berkeley and earned his Pharmacy degree from UCSF. He then spent three years in the Army, training at Fort Ord before being stationed in Fort Lewis in Washington, then to Whittier, Alaska, where he ran a medical clinic with a doctor and dentist.

After returning to California, Akira worked as a pharmacist at Southern Pacific Hospital. Mutual friends introduced him to June, a trained dancer who taught at Mills College. They married and welcomed three children, eventually settling in Marin County just down the street from Skywalker Ranch. Akira was the pharmacist at Lucky’s in Richmond, while June started the June Watanabe Dance Company.

“She’s the one you should be interviewing,” says Akira proudly of his wife. June trained at the L.A. Conservatory of Music and Arts, danced in the film The King and I at age 16 and served on the faculty of several colleges before retiring as Professor Emerita.

The family enjoyed camping, traveling through Europe, and taking a cruise in China. At one point, June received a grant to go to Japan for six months.

Their three children are all successful. Brett is a financial advisor in New York, Whitney has a master’s degree and teaches at a local college, and Colin is a cardiologist in Los Angeles. They also have five grandchildren. “They’re all doing very well!” says Akira.

Whitney suggested that Akira and June move to Sterling Court. “Our daughter lives in San Carlos and wanted us closer,” says Akira. They settled well into their new life. Then, about a year ago, June needed to move to a nearby memory clinic. Akira visits her often.

Akira describes the life he and his family have created as “the American Dream.” When asked if he has any life philosophies, Akira laughs and says, “Work hard!” Obviously, his disciplined life is paying off!

To say Kathy and Fred Furrer are locals is an understatement. Fred grew up just a couple of blocks from Sterling Court in a house his grandfather built in 1906. After they married, Kathy and Fred moved into a home just a block from that. In March, they made the move to Sterling Court.

“Everything is so new to us,” says Kathy. “This is the first time we’ve moved in 66 years!”

Talking with Kathy and Fred is great fun. Fred states the facts, Kathy adds the details, and their affection for one another is clear.

Kathy was born in Flasher, North Dakota, in her grandmother’s house. Her grandmother was the town’s midwife and nurse to the local doctor. When Kathy was 7, her family moved west, eventually settling in Tacoma, Washington. (Kathy is from a big family – she has five sisters and one brother!) After high school, she joined her older sister in Burlingame and went to work at Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, now known as 3M.

Meanwhile, Fred attended Serra High School before studying business and accounting at the University of San Francisco. After graduation in 1954, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. “I did basic training at Fort Ord and then was shipped off to Germany and attached to the heavy artillery division,” says Fred. Once he came back home, he worked at an accounting firm. “But I decided I didn’t want to be a bean counter,” says Fred. He began a new career that took him from the chemical industry to environmental consulting. His firm even sent him to Harvard Business School.

Around the time Fred got out of the Army, mutual friends arranged a blind date between Fred and Kathy. A year and a half later they were married and moved into their San Mateo home. Soon they welcomed two daughters, Michelle, who now lives in Maui and works for Microsoft, and Cheryl, a former neonatal nurse at Stanford who now splits her time between Washington and the house Fred’s grandfather built. Plus, they have three beloved grandchildren – two girls and a boy.

Once their daughters were grown, Kathy returned to work. One of her favorite jobs was at a dental office whose patients included members of the San Francisco 49ers during the team’s Super Bowl years. She still laughs about giving star cornerback Eric Wright a ride in her white 1965 Mustang after he admired the car.

Retirement brought many happy years and plenty of hobbies. Both enjoyed golf, and each managed to score a hole-in-one. Kathy has also spent years crocheting, knitting, decorating cakes, and pursuing other creative projects.

The idea of moving to Sterling Court came from their daughters. After a few falls, Michelle and Cheryl encouraged their parents to explore senior living. Although Kathy and Fred had known about Sterling Court for years, they had never been inside. After a tour, they were impressed.

In March, they moved in and of course brought along Holly, their poodle-bichon frise rescue dog. “We’ve had her for 10 years and she’s still like a puppy,” says Kathy. “She loves the people here.” Holly’s not the only one! “The people who work here are so nice,” says Kathy.

So, while still feeling a little new, Kathy and Fred are adjusting and enjoying the experience. They appreciate the friendly staff, the responsive maintenance team, and the delicious meals prepared for them each day.

They’re also learning about the classes and activities available, and getting ready to dive in. Most of all, they’re happy to remain in the neighborhood they’ve called home for decades while beginning an exciting new chapter at Sterling Court.

Diane Bryant’s path to Sterling Court has been shaped by creativity, family, politics, and a lifelong passion for bringing people together. Originally from outside Detroit, Michigan, Diane grew up in a family filled with artistic talent and imagination. Initially, Diane envisioned a future in law and attended Michigan State University as a pre-law student. However, during that era, professional fields like law were not always welcoming to women, and she eventually found herself drawn in a different direction. Encouraged by a family friend who worked in advertising for General Motors, Diane moved to Los Angeles to attend the renowned ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, where she studied painting and design. “The school was very professional,” she says. “When you graduated, you were ready to work.”

While there, Diane met her future husband, also a designer. The two married in 1969 and eventually built both a family and a business together. “We were a true partnership in every shape,” Diane says warmly. After the birth of her two sons, Diane and her husband launched their own design firm on Wilshire Boulevard. Together, they built a successful business working with major clients across the U.S. Diane specialized in information, organization, writing, and color while her husband focused on illustration and design. “Everything about me is color,” she says. “Beige does not live in my house.” Even today, her vibrant personality shines through in colorful clothing, jewelry, and art.

Politics had also long been part of Diane’s life. Her involvement began at just eight years old through an uncle in Michigan. After moving to Los Angeles, Diane initially hesitated to start over politically, but her husband encouraged her to volunteer for a local campaign. That decision led to a remarkable career working on campaigns, creating advertising and event materials, writing press releases, and eventually serving as Assistant Press Officer for Los Angeles City Attorney Burt Pines. Later, she was recruited to run the Los Angeles office for California’s State Treasurer. In 1984, she was hired to be in charge of the logo and all printed materials for the Democratic Convention here in San Francisco.

Her creative passions continue at Sterling Court. Diane enjoys jewelry making, painting, and working with natural stones. She even has an Etsy shop featuring her handmade jewelry designs. “I love creating pieces specifically for the person who will wear them,” she explains.

Family remains at the center of Diane’s life. One son lives in Hillsborough with his family, while the other resides in Washington, D.C. Both have successful careers, and Diane beams with pride when speaking about her four grandchildren.

Diane moved to Sterling Court about three and a half years ago. Downsizing dramatically was an adjustment, but one she handled with grace. “I thought it would be hard to adjust, but I adapted well,” she says. Her beloved Cockapoo, Amy, now 10 years old, has been a comforting companion through every chapter.

When asked what she appreciates most about Sterling Court, Diane’s answer comes quickly. “The staff is wonderful. Within a week, everyone called me by my name. They go out of their way to be helpful.” She also praises the residents, describing them as “interesting, welcoming, warm people who want to share their lives with you.”

Laure Zabek had an all-American childhood. She grew up in a big family – five brothers and one sister – in the hills of Redwood City, with a creek in the backyard and lots of room to roam. That close family upbringing has stayed with her all these years, which is probably why she fits in so well with our Sterling Court community.

Laure’s family had a summer house in Clear Lake, so during the hot months she remembers waterskiing every day, fishing, and swimming – no doubt helping her become a competitive swimmer in school.

When the family kept growing, they moved to Belmont and Laure transferred from San Carlos High to Carlmont High – and it wasn’t easy leaving all the friends she’d known since St. Pius Elementary School. Laure next went to the College of San Mateo to train as a dental technician and for one year lived with her best friend’s family.

“My parents moved to Oklahoma City because my dad got the chance to open a classic car museum,” says Laure. “They only lasted a year and a half! My dad said, ‘I thought I was a conservative in San Francisco, but I was really a radical!’” laughs Laure. They moved to San Francisco, so Laure finished her schooling there. Laure’s specialty was working closely with dentists to make crowns and bridges.

Laure’s dad had worked for British Motor Cars, where he rose to vice president and was named the top U.S. Rolls-Royce salesman. Her dad’s love of cars spread through the family. “My whole life I was in love with cars,” says Laure. She has driven MGs, Porsches, Audis, Mercedes, and many others. “I appreciate everything my dad did,” says Laure. “He was a special guy.”

Laure also loved to sail and raced competitively. This is how she met her husband. They moved to Orinda, but were soon back in San Francisco, and bought her parents’ home.

After living there nine years, Laure went through a lot of changes. The tech boom hit, and she discovered a talent for technical recruiting, placing software engineers at major companies including Oracle, Intuit, HP, and Genentech. She was able to work remotely and moved to the family’s beloved Clear Lake house. Laure’s parents, who had moved to the desert, then relocated to Sterling Court in 2012 and fit right in.

After Laure’s dad passed away, her mother came to live with her in Clear Lake, and they learned they were great roommates. As her mother aged, it was time to move back to Sterling Court – but this time, Laure came with her. They continued living together until her mom passed away a year ago.

Laure’s next step was to move to a smaller apartment and really get involved in the Sterling Court community. “At first, I wasn’t sure I’d fit in,” she says, but that soon changed. “I play Rummikub, Pinochle, and Mahjong,” says Laure. She’s also a member of the Sterling Stitchers as a knitter. “I learned when I was young, so I’m picking it up again,” she says. Plus, she’s organizing a group trip to Graton Casino.

She’s on the board of the Burlingame Music Club, an organization for young musicians, and was just voted vice president. She also fundraises for charities.

Laure has lived at Sterling Court for almost four years now and has only nice things to say. “The food is great and Chef Denis is a kick! And the wait staff and everybody are just tremendous.”

“My mom’s philosophy was ‘live, love, and laugh,’ and I’m following suit,” laughs Laure. “We had good times together, and now I’ve made good friends at Sterling Court. It’s a great community.”

Carole Young’s story sounds like a TV show! A woman moves to a remote island off the coast of Maine to be their Postmaster, where she and her husband savor beautiful summers sailing idyllic seascapes and frozen winters in a close-knit fishing community of 350 year-round residents. That is just one of Carole’s many stories!

Now, as of September, she’s enjoying the much warmer California weather at Sterling Court, living close to her daughter and already making her mark.

“This is a wonderful place to be,” says Carole. “There are so many activities – exercise classes, lectures. We play Rummikub and Pinochle. That’s really fun!” Plus, Carole and another resident started a sewing group. “We just had our first meeting and 10 people signed up and more floated in,” she says. “We sat and chatted while working on crochet, knitting – you name it.”

Born and raised in Buffalo, NY, Carole was no stranger to the cold. One favorite childhood memory was a six-week road trip in her dad’s new 1949 Ford. “We took Route 66 all the way to California,” she says. “We’d see teepees on the side of the road and stop to buy jewelry.” They drove through a terrible storm in Kansas City, crossed the desert without air conditioning, and visited Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and even Tijuana. “It was wild!”

Carole met her husband, Howard, at Alfred State College. They raised three children – Wendy, Drew, and Kelly – in New York. When the youngest started school, Carole took a part-time job at the Post Office that grew into a full-time career.

Thanks to his work’s early retirement offer, Howard retired in his 50s and they moved yearround to Swans Island, Maine, where Carole became Postmaster and combined three post offices into one. Avid sailors, Carole and Howard spent summers on their 30-foot boat. “I loved living there – the views were beautiful and the summers were great.

The winters weren’t all that swell though,” she laughs. They later moved to Bar Harbor, where Carole served as Postmaster in Seal Harbor. “To get there, I would drive through Acadia National Park and think, ‘I must have the best commute.’”

Howard didn’t love to travel, so Carole explored with her daughter Wendy. “We did a 24-day Mediterranean cruise – from Barcelona to Venice to Istanbul. It was our trip of a lifetime.” They also visited Taiwan and Hong Kong, which they both loved.

After Carole retired, she and Howard moved to Oriental, North Carolina, then later to Gastonia to be near their son. “My daughter always says she can’t keep track of all the houses I’ve lived in,” Carole laughs.

After a long and glorious retirement, Howard passed away. Carole stayed active – volunteering with her church and spending time with friends. But after three hurricanes and recovering from floods, she was ready for a move. Happily, her daughter and traveling companion, Wendy, lives in San Mateo and found Sterling Court. Carole moved across the country sight unseen.

Now, Carole enjoys the social hours with piano music, champagne, and hors d’oeuvres. “The food’s amazing!” says Carole. “We have a wonderful chef here.” She loves the wide selection and the desserts. “You learn not to indulge every night!” says Carole. She also walks a lot and aims for 3,000 steps a day, in the courtyard and on occasional walks downtown. She joins shopping outings in the Sterling Court bus, visits with family, and calls East Coast friends to tell them about California (self-driving cars everywhere!).

Carole has made some good friends here and each night at dinner sits with new people. “There are a lot of upbeat people here and I enjoy meeting them,” laughs Carole. “We’re a chatty bunch!”