Career Journeys
From creative industries to groundbreaking fields, these residents share how their passions shaped their careers and continue to inspire them today.
Joy: A Trailblazer’s Triumphs in Professional and Personal Journeys
Growing up, Joy McAllister never considered pursuing a career as an accountant. In fact, she initially had no interest in math. But everything changed when she began working at Bell Helicopter, an aircraft manufacturer based in Fort Worth, Texas. Joy thrived in the company where she was employed for nearly four decades — and became its first female supervisor.
To fully grasp the weight of Joy’s accomplishments, you’d have to begin with her childhood. One of seven children, Joy was born at the start of the Great Depression and learned firsthand how to overcome hardships from her parents.
“They didn’t have an education,” she recalled. “They didn’t have careers. You just did the best you could.”
With her family’s support, Joy graduated from high school and enrolled in business college, where she studied shorthand and typing. She eventually received her degree and obtained all the necessary qualifications to begin an entry-level position within the accounting department at Bell Helicopter. Because of her education and growing list of skills, Joy quickly moved up the corporate ladder and was eventually promoted to supervisor — by a male superior and within a heavily male-dominated company. It was a true accomplishment for Joy, her department, and women throughout the workforce.
"Men just didn’t promote women or recommend them,” she said. “I was fortunate to have been in a leadership role at a time when that door was closed for most women."
Reflecting on her career, Joy loved being with others the most and was happy to work alongside many of the same coworkers throughout the years. And she especially made a point to give back to charitable causes, working with United Way and other humanitarian organizations on behalf of Bell Helicopter.
“It’s not the norm now,” she said of her decades-long employment with the company, “but it was a good place to work.”
Joy also found happiness in her personal life. She married the love of her life and together they raised three daughters, all of whom became successful in their own right. In fact, Joy’s middle daughter followed in her mother’s pioneering footsteps, becoming an attorney when the profession was rarely an option for women.
“I almost died when she said what she wanted to do because that was stepping into a man’s world,” she recalled with a laugh. “That was a big step, but she made one of the top attorneys.”
Today, Joy continues to inspire younger generations and fellow residents at Parkview in Frisco, where she’s resided for nearly 14 years. She’s previously worked with a mentoring program, meeting with students to help them achieve their personal and professional goals. And when she’s not inspiring the next generation, Joy builds new friendships with neighbors over card games and enjoys creating ink and acrylic artwork.
“She’s made a very positive impact,” said Community Life Director Raziqa Virani. “She’s just a very welcoming person, and it’s great to have her in the community.”
From inspiring her peers during her career to inspiring youth now, Joy has always kept one thing in mind.
“I try to always be good and honest and just a good person.”
A true testament to this trailblazer’s lasting legacy.
Jim: A Centenarian’s 103-Year Journey
At Legacy at Clover Blossom, we have the honor of living with remarkable residents, and Jim I. is no exception. At 103 years young, Jim holds the title of the oldest resident in the community. His life story speaks to a legacy of resilience, dedication, and an infectious sense of humor that keeps everyone around him smiling and laughing.
As a WWII Navy Veteran, he served our country with pride and courage, witnessing firsthand some of the most defining moments in modern history. After the war, Jim returned to civilian life, where he raised five children with his late wife, Madeline. Flash-forward to today and he now has 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild! Jim jokes that he has given up on keeping their names straight. “I just say ‘Hi,’” he says.
Jim’s work ethic is something to be admired. He worked at Graflex, a New York-based photography manufacturer, for 44 years before he retired. However, his retirement didn’t last long. Jim received a call from the principal at a local high school asking if he would be willing to fill in for a faculty member who would be away for a month or so. That month-long coverage soon turned into three decades!
He spent those 30 years ensuring the safety of others as a high school security officer and continued working until he was 99. His commitment to staying active and involved is a testament to his strong character, and his influence still resonates with the many students and faculty members who knew him.
When asked about the secret to a long and fulfilling life, Jim’s response is as sharp as ever. “I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t chase women anymore,” he says, adding, “I can’t catch them.” Also, don’t forget the red peppers! According to Jim, red peppers are a key ingredient for a long, healthy, and happy life.
Jim’s story is a reminder to us all about the importance of living fully, staying connected with loved ones, and maintaining a positive outlook on life. At Watermark, we’re grateful to be part of his journey, and we celebrate Jim for all he has accomplished — and for the joy he brings to our community every day. Here’s to 103 years of laughter, wisdom, and love!
Phyllis: A Librarian With a Past
Phyllis N. presides over her library with a welcome for everybody, eager to share her love of books and help others pursue their interests. When she moved into The Fountains at La Cholla, the expansive flagship of Watermark communities, she jumped at the chance to volunteer at the main library and help organize its four libraries, soliciting book donations and cataloging everything. She created a checkout system and made it easy for people to enjoy the collection.
At any given time, you’ll find people checking out books, reading, and launching themselves into literary adventures, love stories, research, or mysteries.
As a volunteer, Phyllis gives these libraries her thoughtful attention as a labor of love. She and her husband owned a bookstore many years ago, so she’s keenly aware of what people want. She also comes by it naturally as her mother and two of her sisters were librarians.
“We have all their favorites,” Phyllis says. “James Patterson, David Baldacci, Danielle Steele, Kristen Hannah, and so many more.”
Phyllis meets many residents through the library. She gets to know them and makes recommendations she believes they’ll like. Considering her role as a champion for books and reading, you might assume that Phyllis is a retired librarian.
Not so fast.
Another Life
While Phyllis’ passion has been books, her career was as a criminologist for the federal government in Washington, D.C. She holds graduate degrees in sociology and criminology and was involved in high-level studies on the death penalty and human trafficking. She served as research director followed by staff director at the U.S. Sentencing Commission, helping to establish federal guidelines for criminal sentences. She also worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, serving as executive assistant to the assistant director, as well as communications director. Phyllis ultimately became the director of the Office of Research & Evaluation at the U.S. Department of Justice.
For 30 years, Phyllis’ profession kept her in the fast-paced thick of things in Washington. She remembers a government shutdown during the Clinton administration, when she was deemed an essential worker and kept on going to the office.
“I had to answer phones myself,” she says with a laugh. “One time I accidentally hung up on the attorney general. On her return call, Attorney General Janet Reno laughed and said she’d done the same thing and wondered whether agencies should “reconsider who is ‘essential.’”
When Phyllis retired in 2013, she decided to switch gears, slow down, and return to her native Arizona. Never wanting to stray too far from her lifelong interest in criminal justice, she volunteered in Tucson with Pima County Victim Services to help crime victims, and became active in the Friends of the Pima County Public Library. Which brings us full circle.
Book It!
Returning to Arizona on her own, Phyllis felt lonely and wanted to meet new people to renew her social life. That’s the main reason she moved to The Fountains at La Cholla. It worked, too.
Phyllis is friendly, personable, and her libraries keep her involved and active every day. “I’ve met great people here,” she says. “Friends look out for each other, and I’ve got a million projects going on.”
She’s in groups that support diversity and healthy living, and plays bridge regularly. One player is 100 years old, according to Phyllis. “She says she forgets everything else but remembers everything about bridge. Not so,” Phyllis responds.
Phyllis delights in her new friends and is happy to live far from the fast lane these days. Most of all, she enjoys feeling part of a community. “I eat with friends in the dining room,” she says, “and it’s a special time of day.”
So, does the lifelong reader with a fascinating past have a book of her own inside her? She’s already started writing it.
“It’s a murder mystery,” Phyllis says.
Well, of course it is.
