Evie Bowers has a unique perspective on Brio Living Services, having lived at two of its Chelsea and Grand Rapids locations.
Evie met her late husband, Jack, in college while he was studying to enter the ministry. The two were married and moved to Grand Rapids where he served the Fountain Street Church for 30 years. Evie was a member of the church’s foundation board. “My interest was sharing with others why we have a foundation and why it’s important to support it,” says Evie. “At our church, we reaped the benefits of those who had donated before. It’s important to tell that story.”
After retiring, the couple moved to Cook Valley Estates in 2000. “We decided to make the move young enough that we could get to know people,” says Evie who became co-chair of the Welcome Committee.
When United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC) and Porter Hills affiliated in 2019, Evie says, “My ears perked up – my youngest son and his family live in Chelsea.” In 2020, Evie moved to Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) to be near them.
“Every move has been my choice – that makes for a happy move,” says Evie. “I have found wonderful people here, both team members and residents. Just like Porter Hills Village, CRC has the continuum of care. That’s important, to be able to stay on the same campus.”
Evie has supported the UMRC & Porter Hills Foundation and is a member of the Legacy Society with a planned gift from her estate. “Every small amount helps,” says Evie. “It’s easy to give a percent in your will. People have paid it forward for many years – we owe it to the people who will come after.”
To learn more about making a gift in your will or estate, contact the UMRC & Porter Hills Foundation at 734.433.1000 ext. 7502 (east) or 616.577.2297 (west).