Kathie Walker loves spending time with her friends at Evergreen Fountains. It might be a birthday party, an exercise class, or simply gathering in the café to chat and laugh over a cup of coffee. When a new resident arrives, Walker is often the first to greet them at the door—all part of her job as marketing associate for the Spokane Valley senior living community.

“The older I get, the more I blend,” says Walker, who started with Evergreen Fountains in 2006. Having studied business administration at Eastern Washington University, she previously worked in accounts payable for a truck manufacturer, bought and sold financial equipment and was a merchandiser for American Greetings. Her new job came as an unexpectedly welcome opportunity.

“Kathleen Archer, the owner’s wife, was my roommate in college, and she knew I was looking for a job. One of the smartest things I ever did was say yes,” Walker says.

One of the rewards of her job is knowing that she’s helping people at a stage in life that can bring about difficult transitions. She can relate to many of their struggles, as her dad had rheumatoid arthritis, and her mom suffered from dementia.

“When I bring people in, I’m their first friend and the one they know they can trust. They come to me for help and advice. We’re figuring out together whether this is where they want to be,” says Walker. “I’m a sales rep, and some people may be scared I’m going to talk them into doing something. But when we go on the tour, we start talking and laughing, and I can feel when I become a ‘person’ to them. It’s very easy for me to talk about Evergreen Fountains. I’m very proud of this community.

“It’s like working on a cruise ship.” she says. “We have wonderful activities and a beautiful wellness and fitness center—we’re all about helping people stay independent and live a healthy lifestyle.”

Outside of work, Walker stays active traveling and spending sunny days at the family cabin on Pend Oreille River. The residents at Evergreen Fountains are always excited to hear about her adventures—even if they’re a little worried about her racing up and down the river in a speed boat.

“They love to tease me and I tease them right back,” Walker says. “Like most of our residents, I hope to stay independent and on my own as long as I can. I love my home, but there comes a time where your life changes—when you come here, you’ve got instant friends,” she says.

“I know every resident in our community. I know their names and I know most of their families. People always ask me, ‘How do you remember everybody’s name?’ I tell them that you always remember your friends.”