In their 30s, the friends would joke about who was going to push whose wheelchair around. “We never really thought that would happen,” Jackie laughed.
Nearly 30 years later, the women and their husbands live on opposite corners of the same floor at Vi at Silverstone, in north Scottsdale, Arizona.
Growing Friendships
As the ladies’ friendship blossomed, they decided to introduce their partners. Jackie’s husband, Fred Badger, was a naval academy graduate. Barb’s male friend at the time (and future husband), Ed Faber, had been in the U.S. Marine Corps. The two men easily bonded over their years in the service.
Over the years, each couple built lives and careers that moved them apart from one another to various places around the country – but the two couples always managed to stay in touch. In 1990, the Faber’s decided to move to Arizona. Jackie and Fred soon followed, staying with the Faber’s while they built a house in the mountains.
Moving to Vi
Now, the life-long friends remain active making new memories at their home at Vi. Jackie and Barb participate in the Vi Tones, a resident choral group that perform shows twice per year. Ed takes their 14-year-old dog, Jasmine, to the care center every Wednesday morning to visit residents. Fred is part of the men’s golf club, and likes to join Jackie in making new friends at Vi.
Ultimately what’s made Vi at Silverstone feel like “home” for each couple – each other. “It’s so comforting having close friends here at the community,” said Barb.