A Life of Service, Adventure, & Community: Park Place St. John Testimonial

Flora Earlie laughs easily, speaks frankly, and carries a lifetime of stories with her, the kind you can only gather from decades of service, travel, and hard-earned wisdom. She grew up on the South Side of Chicago and eventually found herself studying sociology and psychology in Missouri, where she graduated in 1971. Jobs were scarce then. “The economy was bad,” she said with a shrug. “You took whatever you could get.”

However, everything changed when she took on the role of Head Start director. “I didn’t know anything at first, but I learned fast.” What began as an unexpected job became the beginning of a significant career. Flora went on to spend 29 years with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, starting as a caseworker and eventually advancing to Field Service Manager. During her tenure at DCFS, after becoming a supervisor, she enrolled in the Social Work Education Program in 1996 and obtained her master’s in social work from Loyola University in 1998.

“It was tough work,” she admitted. “Very tough. You’re dealing with abused and neglected children, and sometimes two hundred families at a time. But it was fulfilling. I loved the work. I’m a social worker at heart.” Her dedication carried her all the way to earning her master’s degree in 1998. That same year, on a class trip to Springfield, she had a chance encounter. “I saw this man coming down the stairs. I thought he looked like a boy I liked in high school. I asked if his name was Leroy. He said, ‘No, I’m Barack Obama, and I’m a state senator.’ He shook my hand. He was very charismatic.”

Outside of work, Flora found joy in seeing the world. “I’ve been everywhere except Australia and Antarctica,” she said. “I never really wanted to go to Antarctica, and Australia just never happened.” Her travels took her to Greece, Turkey, France, England, and countless Caribbean islands. One of her favorite trips was to Dubai, a place she still remembers with genuine delight.

For years, she traveled with a group of older adults, and her family shares her love of travel. “We still take a family vacation every year,” she said. “Then they do their own thing too.”

Her journey to Park Place of St. John began after her children encouraged her to move closer to them. At first, she knew very little about senior living communities. She eventually started looking online. That’s how she found Park Place.

When she finally toured an apartment, she knew she had found her home. “I fell in love with the bathroom,” she said, grinning. “All those safety features. With knee replacements on both sides, that’s important. It’s very safe here. I love it.”

She also loves the sense of community. “People care about each other here. If someone is sick or can’t come down for dinner, another resident will bring their meal to their room. We welcome the new people. We look out for each other. This really is a community.”

As a self-described “city girl,” she’s found herself fascinated by the stories residents tell about farm life and small-town roots. “I’ve learned a lot. They tell the best stories. I’ve never lived anything like that.”

Flora jumps into activities with enthusiasm. “I try to do as much as I can,” she said. 

Her favorite? Phil’s Friends is a nonprofit that creates care packages, blankets, cards, and hats for people undergoing chemotherapy. “We go once a month. Most of the time, we fold boxes or help with blankets. It’s a beautiful cause.”

She also enjoys crafts, games like Farkle, and a monthly cooking activity in the Creation Studio, where residents make treats like apple fritter bread. “It was terrific,” she said.

Now two years into her life at Park Place, Flora feels grateful for what she’s found. “This is a wonderful place,” she said. “If you have a problem, you talk to the staff. Everyone tries to help. People care about each other here. I really like it.”

And despite joking that she’s “one of the babies” of the community, she’s found her place. “I like to talk. I like people. If I ever stop talking, they'd better call someone,” she laughed.

Flora’s story is one of resilience, service, discovery, and connection. It’s also a reminder that even after decades of hard work and a lifetime of adventure, there’s still room for new friendships, new stories, and a renewed sense of home.