St. Camillus Life Plan Community

Charley and Jennifer Anderson

Charley Anderson swears he left an empty chair next to him on purpose. He was waiting for a Book Club meeting at St. Camillus to start, when Jennifer Long rushed in, almost late, and took the seat.

“Charley still says he orchestrated the whole thing,” Jennifer says.

“I did,” Charley says. “I saw her running down the hall.”

Orchestrated or not, the meeting was undeniably fateful. The two, who’d both moved into St. Camillus’ Independent Living community only a few months before, struck up a conversation. The next week, they met for lunch at the senior community’s Pub.

“She wanted to split the bill,” says Charley, 86. “I said, ‘I’ll get this one, and if you enjoyed it, then you can invite me for another lunch. If I enjoyed it, I will accept and you can pay.’”

Soon Jennifer, 71, received a text from Charley: “I enjoyed it, so if you invite me, be prepared to pay.”

*Photo courtesy of St. Camillus Life Plan Community*

Things moved fast from there, and 18 months later, they married in St. Camillus’ chapel.

Now they live in a beautiful apartment together, pictured here, in St. Camillus’ East Residence, which opened in March of 2022.Their balcony offers a wide view of the zoo, Downtown Milwaukee, and the community’s putting green, pickleball court and other outdoor recreation areas below.

Charley still spends time at his business, a steel fabricating company in Waukesha. He has enjoyed the St. Camillus swimming pool, pool table and sheepshead club. Together, the couple frequent St. Camillus’ four dining options, movie theater and recently, Trivia Night. Jennifer is involved in many St. Camillus clubs and activities, and enjoys volunteering and serving as an Ambassador for potential residents. But what she enjoys most is line dancing.

“There’s so much to do here,” Jennifer says. “But what really makes St. Camillus different are the people and the peace of mind being here brings. They have a continuum of care – assisted living, memory care, whatever you might need. They are not driven by a profit line – it’s a mission to care for people.”

“I love it here – there’s such a sense of community.”

– Jennifer Anderson