The Gold Standard of Optimal Aging award celebrates adults aged 85 years and older who, through their continuing contributions to society, embody the UofL Trager Institute’s vision for a world where all older adults lead flourishing lives.
The 11th annual celebration was held Sept. 30 at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, recognizing 35 older adults for 2022. The ceremony is an Optimal Aging Month signature event organized each year by the Trager Institute/Republic Bank Foundation Optimal Aging Clinic to create an age-friendly culture in our community.
“The whole day was so special, making me and the honorees feel like a celebrity with all the attention,” said honoree Abbie Creed, 91. “From the minute I stepped onto the property, receiving a nametag and the beautiful corsage, being escorted to my table, receiving the certificate and especially the beautiful Gold Medal and the kindness shown throughout the whole program, made me feel so special and pampered beyond measure.”
Read about the exceptional older adults listed below at the Gold Standard of Optimal Aging website. To see more photos from the event, visit the Flickr album.
Virginia Bell | Age: 100
Ann Carter | Age: 89
Julia Coulter | Age: 86
Abbie Creed | Age: 91
Denny Crum | Age: 85
Sister Julia Davis | Age: 85
Rita Durbin | Age: 91
Reverend Jerry Eifler | Age: 86
Marge Fore | Age: 93
Betty French | Age: 85
Sarah Gabler | Age: 96
Mary Grayson | Age: 95
Jess and Rilda Hendrix | Age: 89 & 86
Patricia Holtzapple | Age: 90
Roma Houchin | Age: 86
Delbert Keith | Age: 89
Charles Kenneth Kinberger | Age: 94
Marjorie “Margie” Manning | Age: 93
Maria Marquez | Age: 86
Bertha Mason | Age: 97
Connie Miceli | Age: 93
John Moore | Age: 89
Elaine Morgan | Age: 85
Arla Nesbit | Age: 87
Norma Niehaus | Age: 91
Eleanor Price | Age: 102
Sheldon Rifkin | Age: 87
William Schmitt | Age: 90
David Stewart | Age: 86
Betty Stotz | Age: 88
Robin Whitehouse | Age: 87
Willa Fae Williams | Age: 86
Jocille Wright | Age: 92
Bette Zeller | Age: 95