Inspire Positive Aging Awards Nominees and Recipients

Congratulations to Our 2021 IPAA Recipients!

Cynthia Grayson

Advocacy & Activism

Cynthia has been a powerful force for equity and human dignity for many years, serving as a child welfare worker and as a mental health therapist, then establishing businesses to support families and keep children from out of home placements. She is a fierce fighter for equalizing services for all ethnic communities, in particular for African American and Native American families, because she understands that these groups (and others) are often disproportionately affected by family separation, economic disparity, legal injustice, and fear of involvement in community. In fact, she was a critical change agent in organizing racial disproportionality efforts in King County.

Pushpakant Patel

Community Service

Pushpakant (Push) is always willing to help anyone in need regardless of age, and has been helping people for over 40 years now. He noticed early on when he moved to Seattle that there were seniors that could not drive, so he decided to help and has been giving rides to those seniors for any medical reason to either clinics or hospitals. For Pushpakant, age is just a number. Even at 82, he is very active and always helping people. This just goes to show that one does not have to slow down their helping or volunteering just because they are aging!

Ray Puddicombe

Defining Inspiration

Born 96 years ago in Tacoma, Washington, Ray was a WW2 Veteran, avid gardener, and incredible storyteller. He was warm and personable, always engaging audiences with his life’s stories and infectious laughter. Ray’s family and friends have learned a great deal about friendship, generosity, gardening and appreciating life, taking each day as it comes and finding joy in all that it has to offer. Sadly, Ray passed away before he could accept his award, but his message will live on through all those who have had the opportunity to cross paths with him.

Ampy Seto

Health & Wellness

Ampy, known as the Queen of Social Dancing, strives to make sure everyone feels warm and welcome. She is a connector between generations and cultures, and serves with love and enthusiasm. Although Ampy experienced two strokes, she was constantly seeking new ways to volunteer and give back to her community. According to her husband, when she heard her doctor’s gloomy diagnosis about being bound to a wheelchair, she said “Just watch me!” and pulled herself out of her wheelchair. She has been on her feet ever since, and has continued to play an active role in her community.

Mary Floyd

Intergenerational Impact

Mary has been volunteering as a Foster Grandparent Mentor at Homage for a number of years and the teachers and students rave about their interactions with her. They are eager to have her back every day in their classrooms and as one of the principals said “Mary, you ARE one of our valued staff members.” In addition to volunteering anywhere from 10-15 hours a week with kids in schools as a mentor, Mary is often keeping her eye open to folks in her apartment complex who might be open to volunteering. To quote Mary, “I keep telling them – those kids need you and you could really be helping them out. Come join me!” Mary shows that older adults can make a significant contribution even (and especially) in their later years. Mary’s good humor, positive attitude and zest for life are a great example for the children she serves.

Rebecca Crichton

Lifelong Learning

Rebecca’s work and outside interests almost all circle around healthy aging, aging with wisdom, defeating ageism, and how to handle the challenges of aging with resilience. The impact she has made on countless lives is exceptional! he immerses herself in learning, and her schedule looks straightforward at first glance. For example, she might be attending a presentation on a topic like brain health, age discrimination, or the impact of race on aging, or giving one of her excellent presentations, such as “Happiness is an Inside Job,” or writing an article for a local newsletter or magazine. But one thing that is different about Rebecca compared with others is, she shares everything she learns. On daily walks, she freely exchanges what she has recently read, learned, or heard. She incorporates her new learnings into her next project. She’s truly a lifelong learner and teacher. And that’s always inspirational.

2020 Award Recipients

Trudy James, Advocacy + Activism
Mohan Khandekar, Community Service
Val Brustad, Defining Inspiration
Shirin Velji, Health + Wellness
Sadru Kachra, Intergenerational Impact
Dori Gillam, Lifelong Learning

2019 Award Recipients

Diane Thompson, Advocacy + Activism
Janet Jones-Preston, Advocacy + Activism
Sidney Rouse, Community Service
Marilyn Valentine, Defining Inspiration
Asefa Tesema, Health + Wellness
Marletta Iwasyk, Intergenerational Impact
Ann Root, Lifelong Learning

2018 Award Recipients

Jemanesh Demisse, Community Service
Hilke Faber, Advocacy + Activism
Merle Fister, Health + Wellness
Dianne Hansen, Intergenerational Impact
Ray Bradley, Lifelong Learning
Natalia Mendez, Defining Inspiration

2017 Award Recipients

Barbara Peete, Community Service
Feanette Black Bear, Advocacy + Activism
Michael Neguse, Health + Wellness
Pam Berry, Intergenerational Impact
Kelsi Watson, Lifelong Learning
Zen Fen Huang and Meng Qi Huang Chen, Outstanding Team
Fred Geraldsen, Defining Inspiration

2016 Award Recipients

Geraldine Allsopp, Health & Wellness
Richard (‘Dick”) Body, Community Service
Fai Coffin, Advocacy & Activism
Barbara “BJ” Johnson, Lifelong Learning
Dr. Dominick Minotti, Intergenerational Impact

2015 Award Winner

Eileen Broomell

Eileen Broomell, 89, is an educator, motivator, instructor, and a strong believer of positive thinking. Eileen has been a Red Cross volunteer instructor/trainer in CPR, first aid and water safety for several decades. She ran her own business as a canoe river guide for 27 years. Eileen was an instructor at Highline Community College, and also coached Highline’s basketball and volleyball teams. In her retirement she continues to teach health, wellness, and exercise classes at several senior centers. Today Eileen is regularly at SeaTac Senior Center 3 times a week for her Senior Working Out Class, and has formed a strong relationship with other participants. Eileen continues to embrace new adventures. She has undertaken road trips to Florida and Alaska, and plans to visit Montana and New Mexico this summer.

2014 Award Winner

McCoy Khammany Sengsi

McCoy Khammany Sengsi, 64, was a former Captain and police officer who escaped from the Communist takeover in Laos, starting a new life in 1980 with his family in the U.S. He became a U.S. citizen in 1986. He has demonstrated great community involvement, particularly in the Seattle’s Laotian community, where he is known as a liaison, community leader and mentor. He helped establish the Lao Veterans Association of Washington State and helps people find resources to learn and establish a new way of living. He was nominated by his brother-in-law, Khamphay Muongchanh, who wrote, “He is a great man who offers mentorship and social services without ever expecting anything in return.”

2013 Award Winner

Dotti Lydon

Dotti Lydon is a remarkable person and dedicated volunteer. The active 78-year-old is the recipient of the 2013 Inspire Positive Aging Award (IPAA). The award presented annually by Senior Services recognizes a deserving elder whose life is marked by service, engagement and a certain “joie de vivre.” These are the characteristics that inspire people who know and nominate an elder and why Senior Services bestows this honor every year. Dotti Lydon started volunteering in the kitchen of Lifelong AIDS Alliance in July of 2011. She was 76 years old. Nominator and Executive Chef at Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Wendy Northcutt, said, “When I first met Dotti I was a little concerned how her stamina would hold up in the kitchen. Boy, did she prove me wrong! Dotti has the energy and stamina of a 25-year-old. She is eager to help and does not hesitate to take on any task we ask her to do.” On any given day you might see Dotti peeling and dicing 100 lbs. of potatoes, slicing 75 lbs. of carrots, or helping to package 250-400 meals during her three-hour shift. Her enthusiasm to complete a task is noteworthy. She is quick to come in when we send out requests for help during busy times or when other volunteers cannot come in. It isn’t just the kitchen where you’ll find Dotti volunteering her time and enthusiasm. Last year a call went out to the volunteer group at Lifelong to make 3,000 condom kits for the Gay Pride parade. Dotti easily made one-third of the kit [for the event]. “That’s a thousand kits,” says Kristina Sperline, Volunteer Coordinator. Even after the Gay Pride parade, Dotti is still taking kits home to make every week. She says “it gives her something to do” when she is watching TV. Dotti has spent her life in service to others. She was a registered nurse for over 40 years. When we asked Dotti how she came to volunteer with Lifelong AIDS Alliance, she responded by saying people who are HIV positive are very near to her heart. “Because of that, I just wanted to give back to the community,” she said with tears in her eyes. “We are so lucky to have Dotti volunteer here at Lifelong,” says Northcutt. Her enthusiasm, energy and dedication are an inspiration to all of us who have the privilege of working with her, she says.

2012 Award Winner

Bill Sleeper

Ninety-six-year-old Bill Sleeper works to help other seniors discover the ways that technology can enrich their lives. Bill believes that technology offers seniors ways to engage with society. The retired engineer says he is constantly finding new opportunities to make technology a part of his life, whether it’s posting on Facebook, updating his Twitter feed, finding new apps for his iPhone or sharing photographs from his travels.

Sleeper has lived at Merrill Gardens for the past seven years. Watching him share his enthusiasm for technology with his peers inspired the company to launch a video series starring Sleeper. He uses his sharp wit and sense of humor to make technology less intimidating for seniors. “Bill Sleeper is really an amazing man. When you watch his videos and see how connected he is to his family and friends through technology, you really hope that you can be just like him when you grow up. His passion for helping other seniors is really exciting and he is having a big impact,” says Bill Pettit, Merrill Gardens president. Sleeper travels to the Merrill Gardens communities holding special Tech Whiz classes for residents. He shows them how easy technology is to use and helps them get started. Seniors relate to his teaching style as he tells them all they need to get started is a finger. He travels all over Puget Sound delivering his inspiring message to residents and they love him. Sleeper has been featured on the local news and he is also the oldest member of the Seattle Social Media Club. Here is the story from Evening Magazine and here is the story from KCPQ. Sleeper’s teaching videos are featured on the Merrill Gardens website and Facebook page where he explains how to send text messages, his favorite way of staying in touch with his kids and grandkids. He also shows seniors how to use computers and smart phones. At the end of each video Sleeper tells seniors to ‘get with it kiddo’ as he encourages them to give technology a try.Sleeper’s understanding of technology is particularly impressive when you consider he was already 60 years old by the time Microsoft was founded. Sleeper’s videos are featured on the Merrill Gardens website and facebook page.

2011 Award Winners

Tom Kobayashi

Tom Kobayashi is in his 75th year of extraordinary volunteer service. Strongly emulating him in just one of his exceptional areas would make me an incredible person. It would take me many lifetimes to achieve the dignity and excellence of human character that he has become.

Eileen Allen

Eileen has that special ability to really connect with people. Every time I hear Eileen speak I am inspired, touched and always leave feeling invigorated, and, well, happy. I want to be just like Eileen when I grow up!

2010 Winner

Kristian Nielsen-Herrera

Kristian is a shining example of dedication to physical fitness, intellectual stimulation, care of spiritual needs and a giving attitude. He has had numerous major accidents in traffic and at work, airplane crashes, operations, and a temporary paralysis. Kristian suffers from tinnitus and chronic pain from major knee surgeries and a hip replacement. Yet he is a lover of life, active living, and thoughtful connection with others. Riding his bike from Queen Anne to West Seattle three times a week and walking, Kristian chats with others, many also suffering from life’s tribulations. He speaks with them in an uplifting, concerned manner. He listens to their stories. Kristian gives them encouragement to keep moving, keep looking up, always with a bit of humor and liveliness. In simple words, he cares.

2009 Winner

Nina Harding

Nina Harding was announced as 2009’s Inspire Positive Aging Award winner at the Senior Services Annual Meeting May 28, receiving two roundtrip tickets to any Alaska Airline destination, and her nominators have $50 to spend at Barnes and Noble as thanks for bringing Nina to our attention.

“You know, I never planned on getting old-ER, but as I get older, it certainly is an honor to walk in my grandma’s footsteps. It’s always the awards from those who live in your backyard that are the most rewarding and the most humbling. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

A spirit like that enabled Nina to graduate from law school at age 52 and continue to practice and give of her time to the Elder Law Clinic throughout physical challenges that would stop a less-determined person. Congratulations to our 2009 Inspire Positive Aging Award winner!

2008 Winner

Dolly Castillo

Dolly Castillo has been called “the very heart of the International Drop-in Center.” At 84 years old Dolly never seems to stop moving. She was a Physical Education teacher for 40 years, and says that being a gym teacher was the best training for getting older. Dolly continues to encourage physical activity and health, but now in an older population. With the firm but gentle attitude that gets things done and gets people moving, Dolly sees her primary goal as helping other seniors improve their outlook on life. “Activity makes you young…I tell everyone the need to ENJOY themselves and keep busy.” When asked what she thought was the best thing about aging, Dolly replied, “You can make all the mistakes you want and nobody cares.”

2007 Winner

Mary Perkins

Mary Perkins says, “Life begins at 90.” That’s when she moved to a Seattle retirement community and impressively re-invented herself — from small town to big city life, from wife to widow, from disabling illness to improved health, from home isolation to contact with diverse people, from sedentary life to challenging activities. The elegant 93-year-old exudes her enthusiasm for life and learning. Her daughter, who nominated her, says, “Mother is great at encouraging people to believe in themselves. She accepts assistance with grace, often writing notes of appreciation, and she compassionately and respectfully assists others. “ When Mary accepted her award, she offered this advice for positive aging:

“Be with people, help each other, try new things, laugh at yourself, be grateful, always have something to look forward to, make the most of every day, wear red, and dance!”

2006 Winner

Idore Anschell

Idore has dealt with adversity with tenacity, a sense of humor, and an openness to people that has made her friends in every generation and of many cultures. Two life-long friends crossed the state to celebrate her 70th birthday with her. Idore taught English in Beijing while raising her daughter alone. In her 70’s Idore pursued an M.F.A. in writing and is a published poet and writer of children’s stories Her nominator said of her, “[She] doesn’t give up, commits to doing her best work, and does it all with the best of humors. The best reason for being friends with Idore is that she’s so much fun!”