Rent-for-life music to Everett woman’s ears

Published 10:47 pm Thursday, April 29, 2010

EVERETT — The 120 residents of the Cascadian Place retirement home knew they had a chance to win free room and board for life, but had no idea which one of them it would be.

After a large dinner party for the residents on Thursday, the winner was announced — but not directly.

Jack Callison, CEO of Holiday Retirement, which owns Cascadian Place in Everett, first read the birthday of the winner.

But Callison’s notes had the wrong day written down, and he read Feb. 21, 1921 when it was really Feb. 12. So it wasn’t until he read the names of Florence Simmons’ parents that she knew it had to be her. Her eyes widened, her face turning red.

“Me?” she said.

Callison continued to read more facts gleaned from Simmons’ 89 years before finally announcing her name. “It just took my breath away,” Simmons said afterward.

Holiday Retirement, based in Salem, Ore., owns 313 homes with 3,500 residents in the United States and Canada. Giving someone free room and board for life is “a way to say thank you” to the residents, Callison said.

Simmons said she’s been paying $2,410 per month for her room, meals and utilities.

Last Friday, Simmons’ name was drawn at random from among the names of every resident in the system, Callison said. Cascadian Place was informed of the selection but it was kept a secret so it could be announced at a special event.

Simmons’ two sons were present for the announcement, having been tipped off by staff and sworn to secrecy.

Simmons was still blushing several minutes after the announcement as she accepted congratulations.

“How often does something like this happen to you?” she said.

Bill Sheets: 425-39-3439; sheets@heraldnet.com.