End of an era

By Ruth Melville

Fran Keeping has retired as manager at Norfolk’s Meadowbrook Apartments after 23 years on the job.

When she started at Meadowbrook, Keeping says, “I did everything. I was responsible for all the jobs, from maintenance to collecting rental payments to helping residents move in and out.”

Meadowbrook, which was founded in 1972, provides affordable housing for seniors, but it is not an assisted living facility and does not provide support services. One of the nicest developments Keeping has seen over the years is that “a lot of services, such as the Visiting Nurses Association, now come to the property.” This means that residents can have routine assessments, like month blood pressure checks, taken care of in-house.

Like most new retirees, Keeping is looking forward to having more free time. She plans to visit family, and she has projects she is eager to begin. She’s active in local drumming circles, including the Salisbury Hand Drummers, and she’ll continue to serve as Infinity Hall’s coordinator of volunteers.

Talking about her years at Meadowbrook, Keeping says that she “was never bored.” She also stresses that the job “was never about the pay, it was about the community.”

Asked what she’s going to miss most about her job, Keeping responds instantly, “The residents.” But she’s looking forward to visiting them in her role as friend, not manager.

The Board of Directors of Norfolk Senior Housing Corporation has hired DeMarco Management to handle oversight of Meadowbrook.