Senior Residents

All the latest news and stories about our neighborhood’s senior residents.

The Way We Were: Connie Toney Andry

The Way We Were: Connie Toney Andry

Connie Toney Andry was born on May 1, 1952, the fourth in line of six. “Two boys, two girls, two boys,” she said. Her paternal grandparents, Tom and Mary Toney, had owned several commercial and residential properties along San Marco Boulevard. Her family lived in one of the apartments above Gene’s Barbershop that is now […]

The Way We Were: Rita Danese Taylor

The Way We Were: Rita Danese Taylor

On May 4, 2022, Rita Danese Taylor turned 100. For decades, it has been her habit to spend the entire month celebrating her birthday, and this year was no different. In late May, 180 guests gathered at Prince of Peace Parish Hall on Bennett Road for a party. A dozen people had travelled from various […]

The Way We Were: Deanna and Mike Lissner

The Way We Were: Deanna and Mike Lissner

Deanna and Mike Lissner are a Jacksonville couple who believe strongly in giving back from the bounty they’ve been blessed with. For decades, they’ve been devoting their time, talent, and treasure to their beloved Jewish community and beyond. They’ve gone from being high school sweethearts to 62 years married. They’ve brought forth children and grandchildren, […]

The Way We Were: Dottie S. Dorion

The Way We Were: Dottie S. Dorion

Dottie Dorion is a Long Island native, born Dorothy Simpson in Floral Park, New York in 1934, but she has lived in Jacksonville for over five decades. She came here in 1971 from Puerto Rico so that her husband, George, could build a laboratory for his family’s company, Bacardi. Prior to their stint in Puerto […]

Lopez competes at National Senior Games

Lopez competes at National Senior Games

Frank Lopez, a 56-year-old Jacksonville resident for nearly three decades, is leaving his mark on racquetball courts near and far. He has competed in the past two Florida Senior Games, placing first in 2021 for both the 55-59 Men’s Doubles and the 55-59 Men’s Singles. Last month, he went on to his first National Senior […]

The Way We Were: Jack Lanier

The Way We Were: Jack Lanier

Jack Lanier arrived in Jacksonville in a stranger’s truck more than eight decades ago. He became known as an inventor and a collector. He is a ceaseless worker, a self-made man. Most extraordinary of all is that he will turn 100 this month! Lanier was born on June 15, 1922 in Matter County, Georgia where […]

Local philanthropists honored in sign unveiling

Local philanthropists honored in sign unveiling

Jacksonville’s River Garden Senior Services unveiled the new signage for its Nursing Administration Suite, honoring local businessman and philanthropist Jody Brandenburg alongside his wife Janne. The suite, located on River Garden’s second floor, is henceforth known as the “Janne & Jody Brandenburg and Hardage-Giddens Funeral Homes and Cemeteries Nursing Suite.” The suite was renamed in […]

The Way We Were: Clayton M. Spradley

The Way We Were: Clayton M. Spradley

A man with Riverside roots. A former football star. A retired veteran with officer’s rank. Over four decades in various areas of law enforcement. A published author. An 82-year-old mind that remembers the exact addresses of places he’s lived, which he admits “is amazing!” This is Clayton M. Spradley of Orange Park. Spradley was born […]