Kirby Pines Retirement Community | The Pinecone

The Pinecone | October 2019 • 3 • welcome to 3535 Kirby Road • Memphis, TN 38115 Genenne Wilson was born in beauti- ful western North Carolina, where she remembers feeling "hugged" by the mountains as a kid. She always enjoyed riding her horse, smelling the lilacs and picking and eating wild raspberries, it is a place she loves to visit when she can. Genenne attended Berea College in Kentucky and received a degree in counseling in 1973. She then received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Tennessee in 1979. She moved to DeSoto County in Mis- sissippi in 1976 and has lived in Her- nando the past 20 years. She made her career in social work with the Mental Health System in Memphis. Genenne loves all animals, but espe- cially her two Boston Terriers, Colo- nel Pete and Mazie Grace. She enjoys doing things outside, including walk- ing Pete and Mazie. She loves meeting people and caring about them and has been described as talkative, silly and fun loving. She has traveled all around the US and Jamaica, her favorite holiday is Easter, she loves seafood and likes all types of music. Genenne has found a wonderful, caring community in Kirby Pines to call her home. She will surely fit in with all the people and activity available to her. Genenne Wilson Brenda Coppedge Brenda Coppedge was born in Jackson, Tennessee and moved to Kirby Pines from Germantown. She was married for 53 years to the love of her life, D.D., who passed away in 2012. They have two chil- dren and four grandchildren. Brenda graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1976 from Memphis State. Her BA is in Elementary Education K-9 with a spe- cialist degree in K-3. She also received a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with an additional 45 hours in administra- tion and instruction. She worked for the Shelby County School System from 1976 to 2005. She taught 3rd & 4th grade at Germantown Elementary, was Assistant Principal at Germantown Middle and be- came the Language Arts Supervisor K-8 at the Board of Education. She is a member of the Mid-South Par- kinson's Support Group, Women's Minis- try at Hope Presbyterian, The Ladies of Grace and has several education honors. She enjoys spirituals and devotions, has traveled extensively and stays active with physical therapy exercises and Parkinson exercises with Ballet South. She consid- ers herself a fashionista and collects ideas from fashion magazines. Her friends would describe her as kind and compassionate, someone who stands out in a crowd, vivacious and spunky! Sounds like the perfect match for Kirby Pines and all of our wonderful residents. Give Brenda a big welcome and we look forward to having her here. Linda & Dr. Ralph Parkansky Ralph and Linda have been married 50 years, are parents to twin girls and have 5 grandchildren ranging in age fro two to twelve. Linda was born in White Plains, NY and Ralph in Chicago, IL. They move to Kirby Pines, however, from their home in Germantown. Ralph attended the Illinois College of Optometry, where he became a Doctor of Optometry in 1969. He has several Mas- ters in Optometry Research and an MBA from Christian Brothers. He worked in private practice in Illinois, then joined the Navy where he worked at Naval hospi- tals and research centers. After retiring as a Lieutenant Commander, he worked at the Southern College of Optometry until 2011. Linda received her BA from the National College of Education, her MA from Uni- versity of Houston and her MEd from University of Memphis. She taught Kin- dergarten thru college, including special ed and English as a second language in the US, Cuba and Japan. Linda enjoys needlework, reading, crafts and international cooking. She also col- lects Christmas ornaments. Ralph likes to read as well, and collects stamps and coins. They are very well traveled and both stay active walking and exercising. Please welcome the Parkanksy's to their new home. With their variety of interests, it shouldn't take any time at all for them to acclimate to life at Kirby Pines and make a lot of new friends.