By Georgie Afton, Director of Visiting Companions & Advocacy
When Sylvia, in her 90s, and Jolynne, in her 50s, were paired through Friends & Co’s Visiting Companions program, neither knew what to expect. What they discovered, almost immediately, was an ease with one another wrapped in a sense of recognition rooted not in age or background, but in shared passions and mutual curiosity.
Their first outings set the tone: The Nutcracker at the Ames Center in Burnsville, then lunch at Mediterranean Cruise, where salsa music and belly dancing fill the room on weekends. Next, it was supper at Yum! followed by a percussion concert in St. Paul. When asked what they’ve enjoyed most since being paired, both women laugh and answer without hesitation: meeting each other.
Music was the first bridge. Both women are altos. Both have sung for audiences far beyond Minnesota. Sylvia once shared her voice overseas in Germany; Jolynne, originally from Canada, sang at the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary and at the Sydney Opera House. Music, for both, has always been about connection and meaning.
Their conversations move easily from song to travel. Both women have visited China. Sylvia has traveled extensively, including South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam, with Italy and Spain still on her list. Jolynne has been to Spain and also dreams of Italy. They trade stories, trip tips, and plans.
History is another shared love. Sylvia has toured numerous presidential libraries and says what she values most is how they reveal the humanity of leaders who are just ordinary people tasked with extraordinary responsibility. Jolynne shares that fascination. Together, they’re planning visits to local historic sites and museums once spring arrives.
Jolynne, whose mother is approaching a season of living alone, finds inspiration in Sylvia’s independence and zest for life. Sylvia describes Jolynne as smart, reliable, and warm. Both women have worked in mental health — Sylvia as a psychiatric nurse, Jolynne as the author of a curriculum focused on proactive mental health support for children.
The pair feel fortunate to have found one another through Friends & Co and are grateful the organization emphasizes friendship and reciprocity. “It’s a gift,” Jolynne reflects, “to meet someone where age doesn’t matter, only character.” Sylvia agrees: “It’s always good to make a new friend, at any age.”
What this duo is building is not an activity schedule, but a relationship. One grounded in curiosity, respect, and shared delight. A friendship — unmistakably — in harmony.
