Kay Gleeson, 77, has lived at Rose Senior Living Carmel community since September 2019. She has lived in Carmel for more than 50 years.
Where are you from originally?
“I from Portland, Ind., and got my bachelor’s and master’s from Ball State. My husband went to Purdue and was in the Army. My husband, Larry, and I moved to Carmel when he finished at Fort Harrison.”
Where did you teach?
“I taught 37 years, and the last 30 were in Carmel. I was at College Wood (Elementary). When they opened Woodbrook, I went there. Then when I went back to teaching, I went to Carmel Elementary. It was primarily third grade. I retired from teaching in 2003.”
What was the best thing about teaching?
“There was a lot of satisfaction seeing when the kids would catch on to something, (and) getting to know the different personalities.”
How many children do you have?
“I have two daughters, Libby Willms, who lives in Cincinnati. She has three children, Emily, Whitney and Jack. My other daughter, Christy Dempster, works at Roche Diagnostics and lives in Carmel. Both daughters graduated from Carmel High School.”
What are you are interests?
“I’m very active in my church, Venture Christian Church in Carmel. I enjoy being with people and playing cards. There is lots of nice people at Rose and lots of activities we enjoy together. I enjoy reading and traveling (Israel was her favorite trip). I like books that always have a happy ending. (My husband) had Alzheimer’s. I’ve been mentoring Alzheimer’s caregivers and loved ones since my husband died five years ago.”
Do you have favorite things to do?
“I’ve gone to some of the Civic Theatre plays at The Tarkington and go to the Palladium occasionally.”
