Meet our new members!

Handi Barnett

Handi has achieved 20+ years of sobriety with the support of a sober motorcycle club. She runs her own business. Handi has volunteered at a food pantry for 9 years.

Lee Bitters and Joyce Gerdes

Lee and Joyce are newlyweds who recently moved to Tucson from Oconto, WI. Lee is a retired papermaker with Procter and Gamble. Lee and Joyce are self-proclaimed “snowbirds” who like to travel.

Peter and Sara Cochrane

Peter and Sara have lived in Tucson for under 2 years, having previously lived in Bethlehem, PA and Chippewa Falls and Madison, WI. Peter, a trauma surgeon, and Sara, an OB-GYN, are now retired. Sara continues to do mission work overseas. Sara is a quilter and together, Peter and Sara, enjoy travel and hiking. They volunteer at the Vail Food Bank.

Betsy and Jim Conroy

Betsy and Jim grew up in upstate New York, but met at the Grand Canyon where they were later married. They moved to Tucson in 1982. Betsy retired from the City of Tucson as a human resources and employee learning & development professional. Jim is the Director of Parks and Recreation for Marana. Betsy enjoys watercolor and Jim is an avid cyclist. Both are outdoor enthusiasts and like to travel, read, and spend time with family.

Jack and Sharon Garner

Jack and Sharon retired to Tucson from the state of Washing in 2006 to enjoy the sunshine. Jack is a retired civil engineer. Sharon worked as an office accountant. Jack enjoys golf and reading. Sharon quilts and enjoys board games. Jack and Sharon both enjoy card games and traveling.

Holly and Dick Gruentzel

Holly and Dick are originally from Wisconsin and have lived in Tucson for 25 years. Holly is a retired IT software consultant and project manager. Dick retired from the Tucson Airport Authority where he was Vice President of Finance and Administration. Holly and Dick like to travel and are fans of the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers.

Merle and Michelle Gustafson

Merle and Michelle were drawn to Tucson from Felch, MI, in 2006 by family and warm weather. Merle is a retired equipment operator for M J Electric in Iron Mountain, MI. Michelle is a retired school teacher who enjoys reading. Merle enjoys helping his neighbors in their 55+ community.

Matt and Laura Haas and children

The Haas family moved here four years ago from Philadelphia, PA. Matt is an Air Force veteran and is now a flight instructor at Davis Monthan. Laura manages the house and cares for their three children. The family enjoys the outdoors, basketball, horses, literature and are fans of the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies.

Lisa Moore

Lisa is originally from Illinois, moving to Tucson 11 years ago as a military assignment. She is married to Timothy. Lisa is retired from the Air Force and currently works for the Tucson VA Medical Center in the Caregiver Support Program.

Kathy Peters

Kathy came to Tucson as a snowbird in 2001 and made it her permanent home in 2008. She retired as an Adoption Specialist/Social Worker from the State of Washington. Kathy is a silversmith, quilts, and she loves to travel.

Jeff and Stephanie Popelka, Ryan and Blake

Jeff and Stephanie moved to Tucson from Chicago 11 years ago. Stephanie is a physical therapist at Sol Physical Therapy and Jeff is a Director at Raytheon. Ryan (10) and Blake (8) are students at Ventana Vista. Jeff is an avid cyclist. The boys also love mountain biking, soccer, and basketball and are taking piano lessons. Steph loves cross-stitching and baking. The family enjoys camping, skiing and traveling.

Luke and Jamie Rietz, Harrison and Lauren

The Rietz family moved from Iowa to Tucson 8 years ago, drawn by weather and family. Luke works in sales for Dreamstyle and Jamie is a nurse at Northwest Medical Center. Harrison (15) is a student at Tanque Verde High School and Lauren (13) is a student at Emily Grey Junior High. The family enjoys playing and watching sports, board games, golf, hiking, camping and traveling.

Mary Jo Schroeder

Mary Jo moved to Green Valley from Appleton, WI. After traveling in an RV for a year, she bought a home in Tucson. Mary Jo is a retired Administrative Assistant with the Athletic Department at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI. She enjoys hiking, walking, reading, traveling and spending time with her children and grandchildren in WI.

Michele and Jim Stone

Michele and Jim moved here from Sammamish, WA, just over two years ago for the sunshine. Michelle works remotely as a Sr. Staff Accountant for a bartering exchange in Bellevue, WA. Jim is a Software Engineer for HBK. Jim and Michelle have two sons. Erik is working on his MS at Columbia University and James is a senior at the Academy of Tucson.

Sandy van Riper, Charlie and Mycah

Sandy was raised in Montana and lived in Hawaii and California before moving to Tucson 15 years ago. She is married to Charles and they are helping raise their grandchildren, Charlie (11) and Mycah (8). Sandy is retired. She enjoys biology, research, and teaching.

Missy Walker

Missy grew up in Kingman and came to Tucson in 1996 to attend the UA. Missy is an educator/instructional coach at Palo Verde High Magnet School. She has 4 children.