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Spend a little time with Karen Yorke and Jim Smith and you’ll hear stories about growing up in Paris, life on a Navy destroyer, Madison Avenue advertising, living in Japan, dancing on a first date, convalescing in a Tajikistan hospital, and how they met working together at the highly respected Stanford Research Institute (SRI).
“We’ve been together for 39 years,” says Karen. “Right before we got married, Jim asked me, ‘Are you planning on changing your name?’ And I said ‘No,’ and that was fine.” Jim is 13 years older than Karen, and both lived full lives before they met.
They now live at Sterling Court, drawn by its flexible living plan and support. For health reasons, Jim moved into the Sterling Court assisted living residence a little over a year ago while Karen stayed in their home in El Granada, near Half Moon Bay, and did the easy drive back and forth. Recently, she joined him full-time, and they’re decorating their apartment.
Jim grew up in Berkeley and attended Cal. After graduation, he joined the Navy and spent four years on a destroyer out of Norfolk, Virginia. “Before that, I hadn’t been east of Reno!” he laughs. He later married, had a son, Steven, and moved to Connecticut before becoming a Madison Avenue ad man in New York City. “Now you understand the two personalities of Jim Smith!” Karen jokes. “Navy officer and ‘Mad Men’ executive!”
Jim enjoyed everywhere he lived but missed the California culture. He returned to the Bay Area and soon launched a new SRI program called Environmental Scanning, studying social, political, economic, and technological trends shaping the future. “I met Karen when she was recruited to be part of the program,” says Jim.
Karen began her life of travel when her father was called back to active duty during the Korean War. Her family lived in Virginia, Novato in Marin County, Paris, France, and Sacramento, then returned to Novato, where her parents retired.
After college, Karen decided to move to Japan and caught the country at the beginning of its economic boom. “From 1973 to 1990, Japan was on a continual growth pattern,” says Karen. “It was a very dynamic and fun time to be there.” After seven years, she came back to California and worked not only at Jim’s program but also studied issues that would be interesting to Japanese business clients. Karen speaks and writes Japanese with its many social nuances. When she receives occasional middle-of-the-night calls from Japan, Jim says, “I can tell by how she’s speaking whether it’s a business superior or an old friend.”
Jim was newly divorced when he got to SRI and his group became like a family. When Karen arrived, Jim knew he wanted to get to know her better. “The acid test,” Jim jokes, “was ‘Can Karen dance?’” So, he invited her to tea dancing at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco. “Thank goodness Karen was a good dancer!” says Jim.
They had a lovely candlelit wedding at the Swedenborgian Church in San Francisco and welcomed a daughter, named Aileen, who now works in Salt Lake City and is newly married. They still see her and Jim’s son, Steven, often.
They traveled extensively, including going to Tajikistan, formerly part of the Soviet Union, to visit a foreign exchange student who had stayed with them. There Jim suffered a stroke but recovered with stories to tell. “Jim goes with the flow,” laughs Karen.
Today, they’re happily settling in at Sterling Court. “The people here, from senior staff to daily care, are excellent!” says Jim. “I give them an A+.” Karen already likes the area. “Burlingame is a walkable, charming little town with lots to do,” she says. “After a very busy year, we’re just really looking forward to meeting people and learning everything Sterling Court offers.”
Kay Mangelsen is no stranger to this area. Born and raised in San Mateo, she has had an action-packed life filled with travel, adventures, family, friends, animals, and a lot of luck! Now, she’s back in San Mateo living at Sterling Court – and she loves it.
“It’s been the best!” says Kay. Before moving to Sterling Court, Kay’s hobbies included counted cross-stitch and knitting, but now she’s adding more social activities to her day. “There are so many nice people. I’m back to playing cards and I’m learning Mahjong!” (Mahjong is getting big at Sterling Court!) Plus, she’s a Bingo fan.
Kay has many compliments for Chef Denis and the staff. “The food here is really, really good,” she says. “I’m so happy to have so many choices. And the people are great.”
After attending the College of San Mateo, she married her high school sweetheart, Ken, at just 19. By age 27, they had four daughters, all with names beginning with K – Kathy, Kristi, Korene, and Karen. “We didn’t do it intentionally at first,” Kay laughs.
Their busy home also included Springer spaniels, Labrador retrievers, cats, a mule named Harry, and a family turtle who lived with them for more than 45 years. “He was funny!” says Kay of the turtle who would open the screen door to get in and out of the house.
Ken’s career took the family to Keokuk, Iowa, a small city where the Des Moines River meets the Mississippi. With Ken, an avid outdoorsman, Kay camped and fished. She also remembers hunting pheasants in snowy, nine-degree weather. When they moved back to California four years later, they settled in Concord, where two daughters still live.
Travel was always a joy. They visited Boston, Washington, D.C., took a three-month trip with other families through Canada and Alaska all driving trailers, took cruises to Alaska and along the Panama Canal, and went with a group of friends to Ireland, England, and Wales. “We took all the tours!” Kay says. They also have a timeshare in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
One favorite getaway was Reno, where they had good friends and enjoyed playing video poker. “One year we went for the Super Bowl, and they had a blackjack tournament,” says Kay. “My daughter said, ‘Why don’t you get in?’ I’d never played blackjack in my life – but I won the tournament!” Kay’s luck held out when she won the next year too!
Once the girls were grown, Kay and Ken bought acreage in Cool, a small town outside Auburn, California, and built a house where they had many happy years living in the country, says Kay.
After 56 years together, Ken passed away in 2010. Then, three years ago, Kay lost her oldest daughter. She continued living independently until her daughters – including one who lives in the San Mateo house where Kay grew up – had an idea.
“My daughter knew someone who lived at Sterling Court and thought, ‘This would be perfect for my mother!’” And she was right! “My family moved me down from Auburn, and my place was all set,” says Kay. She and her 15-year-old cat Heidi have been enjoying her apartment since May and Kay is deeply grateful to her daughters and two wonderful sons-in-law.
Kay’s life philosophy is simple: “Live one day at a time and be happy you woke up in the morning!” As she talks about making new friends, enjoying new activities, and living close to her family, it’s clear that Kay’s lucky streak continues.
Nancy Glasson is a true native. Born in San Mateo, she is not only a great source for downtown history, she’s personable, funny, and a fast talker. “I used to be in sales,” she jokes. “I keep talking until you say ‘yes.’”
Nancy has lived many lives: stay-at-home mom, successful real estate agent, bed-and-breakfast owner, world traveler, and lifelong people person. “I love life and I love people,” she says.
She brings that spirit to Sterling Court, where she’s an avid Bridge player, loves Bingo, enjoys the gardens, and is a fan of the dining room. “The food is extremely good,” she says. “I don’t eat a lot, but I taste everything. The chef does a very good job.”
Growing up, San Mateo had a small-town feel. “My mother had a dress shop downtown,” she says. “She started it when I was eight and closed it in 1970. She’d go to New York on buying trips. She was ahead of her time.”
Nancy is a member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and taught Sunday school there. She attended San Mateo Park Elementary, San Mateo High School, and then went to CSM, Coyote Point.
“I had a wonderful time raising my five children, working at their school, and volunteer- ing.” She is incredibly proud of all of them. “My oldest son is a retired judge and attorney living in Nevada. My youngest son just retired after a successful insurance career. My oldest daughter ran Fairview Manor, a bed-and-breakfast in Ben Lomond that I bought in 1986. Carrying on the mantle, my youngest daughter is very active in the Peninsula real estate scene.” Nancy lost one daugh- ter, who was a neonatal nurse at Stanford Hospital.
Once her children were grown, Nancy began her real estate career and, like her mother, was ahead of her time. “I had a successful career from 1970 until I retired in 2002. When I started, I was one of very few women in a business filled with older retired men.”
Promoting the area was easy. She loves the climate and proximity to the ocean. Even earthquakes don’t faze her. “Besides Loma Prieta, I’ve never really felt one,” she says. She
recalls being with a friend in a little shop behind the Ben Franklin Hotel when that quake hit. “When we walked out, the water in the hotel pool was swishing back and forth. I got soaked!”
Nancy was happily married for 20 years. Later she had a longtime friend until he died two years ago. “I miss him a lot.” They traveled extensively together. She has been to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Hawaii, and Europe many times, and has taken numerous cruises.
Nancy lived independently until a year ago, when a dizzy spell turned out to be a stroke. After a hospital stay and rehab, she needed a new home. Her daughter Nonnie knew Sarah at Sterling Court, so Nancy moved into an assisted living unit.
“I have a nice apartment. I go to activities and music programs twice a week, and I play cards,” she says. The dining room hosts some of her favorite times. “I really enjoy talking to all the different people.”
She is deeply grateful for her family. “I’ve had immeasurable help from them,” she says. Her growing family now includes nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many beloved in-laws.
“I’ve had a good life. I’ve had some sadness, but a lot of happiness.” She still follows world news. “I work hard to keep my marbles. I’m curious. I want to see what’s going to happen tomorrow.” She laughs. “I have a very strong heart, so I’ll probably be around for a while.”
Barbara and Frank Saunders are very accomplished people. Barbara was an analytical chemist at major biotech company, while Frank, a Juilliard graduate, taught music and still shares his talents at church. They speak from the heart and agree on a lot. For instance, they agree that they’re having a great time at Sterling Court!
“We instantly felt at home as soon as we walked in the door,” says Frank. “It’s a lovely place,” agrees Barbara.
Barbara and Frank met in San Rafael in 1984, through a mutual friend. “On our first date we closed down the restaurant,” says Frank. “I fell in love very fast.” Within a year they were married, later welcomed their wonderful daughter, Andrea, and now have two beloved grandchildren, Abigail (6) and Denzel (2), who live just 10 minutes away.
But Barbara and Frank got to San Rafael very differently!
Barbara grew up in Sanger, California, just outside Fresno and known as The Nation’s Christmas Tree City. “We had a really good life,” says Barbara. “My dad was a businessman and my mom worked in town.” Barbara studied chemistry at Fresno State and then went to grad school. She had very satisfying careers at the Department of Agriculture, Bio-Rad Labs, and Genentech.
Frank grew up in Suffolk, Virginia, famous for being the Home of Planters’ Peanuts. His father was a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and traveled around the US with newly released silent movies to play the film’s score on the theater’s Wurlitzer organ. “Talkies” ended his career, so Frank’s mother and father opened a small music store selling pianos.
“This was the 1940s, in the deep South during Jim Crow laws,” says Frank. “We were selling pianos to every church within a 50-mile radius, black or white, and whatever denomination. So, I got exposed to so much.” Life changed when Frank’s dad passed away when he was only 10. His mother wanted to keep the music store, but the bank wouldn’t extend the loan to a widow. Crediting his mother’s determination, Frank attended Juilliard on scholarship, then Indiana University for his master’s degree, and on to San Rafael. “That’s where I met Barbara and was happy to stay!” says Frank. “Now we’re on the cusp of our 40th wedding anniversary,” says Barbara.
They soon moved to Foster City where they became active in Saint Ambrose church. Frank was their choir director and organist for 17 years and Barbara sang in the choir. Now Frank is on the faculty at Episcopal Day School and plays the 86-year-old organ in their beautiful sanctuary twice a week.
Through their church, they learned about Sterling Court. They loved the location and the no buy-in. But it’s the community that attracted them.
“It’s a wonderful place,” says Barbara. Frank says every person they meet has a fascinating backstory. “They’re all real people, and we can discuss weird topics,” he says, getting a laugh from Barbara. “We just have a grand time together.”
Barbara takes a walk most days, often with friends, sometimes heading downtown and other times staying closer to home. “The neighborhood is really quite lovely,” says Barbara, “and I feel very safe.” She also enjoys indoor activities. “I learned to play Mahjong with four other people the other day, and it blew my mind! I’d never played it before,” laughs Barbara.
And the food? Frank says that the food and the dining staff are fantastic. “Chef Denis does a very good job with all of us!” says Barbara. “It’s really far and above anything I dreamt we’d experience here.”
In this season of gratitude, what are they grateful for? “We’re very, very fortunate to have one another and to have family so close,” says Barbara. “We feel well loved and well protected.”
Peggy Lewy’s early life could be a Beach Boys song! Growing up in Southern California, she’d go to school wearing a bathing suit under her clothes, then as soon as the bell rang, grab her surfboard and head to the beach with friends. “Surfing was my life!” says Peggy.
She still has that strong sense of fun and friendship. In fact, she’s ready to volunteer for the role of Sterling Court’s official greeter! “There are three of us who usually have dinner together, and we invite new people to join us,” says Peggy. “Then we ask questions and learn all about them!” She also tells them about the fun Sterling Court features she’s discovered over the last three years. So, let’s learn all about Peggy!
After high school, Peggy jumped into life with both feet and got married. They were very young and when it didn’t work out, Peggy decided she wouldn’t marry again – she’d just have fun. She headed back to Southern California, lived in a cottage near Laguna Beach, worked, surfed, played tennis, skied, and enjoyed her next big love – sailing!
Peggy was part of a team that raced Catalina 27 and Ericson 35 sailboats, and they won a lot! “I worked the spinnaker,” says Peggy. “They liked me because I was light and had the best eyesight, so I could tell them to go starboard or port.” One day, while on the dock, a friend introduced her to his brother, Bruce. “As I shook his hand, I thought, ‘I’m going to marry this guy,’” says Peggy. “He was tall – 6’6”, curly hair, good-looking!” As she walked away with her girlfriends, Peggy decided to help seal the deal. “I dropped something on the ground and bent over to pick it up so he could see my tush!” laughs Peggy. They went out, and three days later he moved in. Four years later they married and soon welcomed two children, Kimberly and Kevin. They’ve been together for 48 years now.
They lived by the ocean for many happy years, but it got crowded, so they moved to Clear Lake. When it was time to move again, Kimberly, who was living in Montara, wanted them close. They looked at a few places but liked Sterling Court best.
Now Peggy and a friend walk downtown for morning coffee. She sometimes hops on the bus for outings, plays cards, Rummikub, and Mexican Train, and of course hangs out with Bruce and their 17-year-old cat, Carmen, who’s known to visit third-floor neighbors. On weekends she often drives to the coast to visit her daughter, wonderful son-in-law, and grandchildren.
In the evening, Peggy and friends head down to the dining room. She raves about the “fabulous” food and loves the special event menus for things like Oktoberfest, Easter, and Christmas. “In three years, I’ve gained five pounds from the desserts!” On a special night, she’ll have a second glass of wine and tell people, “Don’t worry! I’ll call a cab to take me to the third floor!”
Peggy has a lovely laugh and always shares her joy. “My goal in life is to make 10 people laugh a day,” she says. Spend a little time with her, and she’ll soon have you on her list!
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