Julie Huntsman Retires after 17 Years as Grace Senior Living’s Dietary Director

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. (March 29, 2016) – Julie Huntsman, former Dietary Director at Grace Senior Living of Douglasville, was thrown a surprise retirement party by residents and employees to honor her 17 years of dedicated work at the Douglasville, GA senior living community.

Huntsman was hired at Grace as the Dietary Director in January of 1999. Her last day at Grace was March 21, 2016.

Karen Cabral, Grace Senior Living’s Executive Director, threw Huntsman a surprise going away party because, “she deserves it.” Cabral said, “Julie has wholeheartedly loved and served our building for 17 years.”

Cabral told Huntsman they were going to get lunch, when she was secretly taking her to her surprise party.

“I was so surprised!” Huntsman said. “Karen did a great job of misleading me and having everyone surprise me! I felt very privileged and flattered.”

Huntsman was hired at Grace Senior Living 17 years ago without having to apply for the job. “I was working a party when the Executive Director at the time loved the food. She told me to resign from current my job and to come work for her; so I did,” Huntsman said. “I didn’t know at the time that it would be the greatest blessing of my life.”

When asking Huntsman what her favorite part about working at Grace Senior Living was, she replied, “I felt so loved every day and I loved what I did. I can’t explain to you how rewarding it was to work there. There was love in each and every resident and employee that I worked with.”

Cabral said, “The saying, 'you can give without loving, but you can never love without giving,’ epitomizes Julie Huntsman. She has always given her heart to each and every one of our residents, family members, and all employees who have graced Grace's door! We are going to miss her loving heart and her serving spirit very much.”

Huntsman is excited for retirement and said, “I will not be sitting on my porch drinking coffee all day. I am a go-getter by nature, so I always have to be doing something. I plan on spending a lot of time with my children and grandchildren.”

“We are so thankful for caring and faithful team members like Julie, who go beyond the call to serve the Greatest Generation,” said Bryan Cook, Senior Vice President of Operations. “We wish her the best in her retirement years!”

About Grace Senior Living of Douglasville

Situated in beautiful Douglas County at 8847 Hospital Drive, Grace Senior Living of Douglasville is a personal care home in Douglasville, Ga., that offers assisted living type services in a safe, attentive, homelike atmosphere. The facility, which is in the metro Atlanta area, is committed to serving the greatest generation with honor, respect, faith and integrity. More information is available at graceseniorliving.net or by calling (770) 920-2273.

Grace Senior Living is part of a family of senior living communities throughout the Southeast owned and/or operated by Legacy Senior Services, LLC, of Cleveland, Tenn. The parent company specializes in offering independent living, assisted living, and Alzheimer’s care services. It was founded in 2002 by Barry Ray and Bryan Cook, senior living industry veterans. More information is available at legacyss.com.