As the current custodian of Friend to Friend America I wanted to acknowledge that Friend to Friend Founder Joe Rust’s wife Marlene Rust passed away on March 4th. Marlene was a great support to her husband, Joe, as he took a leap of faith and started Friend to Friend back in 1974. I want to express my condolences to Joe and Marlene’s daughter and former director of Friend to Friend, Marilyn Soderquist, her family, and the entire Rust family for their continued support and prayers.
I endeavor to carry on the mission of Friend to Friend through our program, and in doing so ensure Joe’s legacy lives on, so that seniors are not lonely and isolated. Ending senior isolation, one friend at a time, friend to friend.
Thank you for everything, Joe, and for the incredible vision that has led to so many friendships over the years and changed so many lives. Thank you, Marlene, for you ever constant support of Joe for his efforts and thank you, Marilyn, for entrusting me to keep your father’s legacy alive.
Marlene Cicelia Rust – Seattle Times Obituary
Sincerely,
Lisa Slavik
Executive Director
Remembering a long time time volunteer
Mary Ellen Kanyer
February 11, 1927 ~ May 24th, 2014
West Seattle Friend to Friend America Chapter, 2014 Mary Ellen Kanyer Memorial:
“Mary Ellen Kanyer had been a volunteer with the West Seattle Chapter of Friend to Friend America for the past 20 years. She visited several residents in the Life Care Center on Admiral Way, now sold to Ageis, the Corporation serving residents and families with Alzheimers. She was also on the West Seattle Chapter Board, sharing her sense of humor on Aging when doing programming for residents in the Communities where other Friend to Friend volunteers visited. She also assisted Life Care residents in their vehicles when they participated in the annual July Garande (Hi-U) parade. One of her projects was pinning many layers of pastel strips of crepe paper to an opened umbrella to carry in the Parade. Until recently, the umbrella made its home in my Attic every year. Her latest contribution was helping with the Friend to Friend America Fundraiser at the West Seattle Barnes and Noble bookstore wrapping Christmas packages. We will miss her smile, spontaneity, and strong faith.”
Berlena Brock 2014