Phone Companions – Find Your Match!
Friendship is just a call away
Below are older adults hoping to be matched with a Phone Companion. Take your time getting to know them. When someone feels like a good fit, choose “Add to my request” — you can pick up to two, and we’ll match you with whichever is available. Once you send your request, our team takes it from there.
Pinky C.
Location:
- Carver
Biography:
Pinky is a lifelong Twin Cities resident who brings warmth, curiosity, resilience, and a love of conversation to everyone she meets. Born in Minneapolis and raised in Excelsior, she grew up in a family of five children. Her parents, Grace and Aaron, owned a meat market in Minneapolis. Family remains very important to her, especially her daughter, Stephanie, and her grandchildren, Josie and Sully.
After graduating from Minnetonka High School in 1964, Pinky worked as a keypunch operator at National Car Rental during the early days of large-scale computer systems. Later, while raising her daughter, she became deeply involved in civic and volunteer work. She served four years on the Mounds View City Council and later became Executive Director of a public housing community serving older adults and people with disabilities, a role she held for ten years.
Pinky eventually retired to Little Falls, where she volunteered with Friends of the Library and led a weekly writing club. She especially enjoys autobiographical poetry and has recently begun writing again.
Now back in the Twin Cities, closer to family, Pinky enjoys staying engaged with the world around her. She loves reading and spending time at the library, with a particular interest in biographies, nonfiction, history, and especially World War II history. A very worldly and curious person, she enjoys being around people who broaden her perspective and stimulate thoughtful conversation. Pinky describes herself as chatty and outgoing, and she values companionship, humor, and meaningful connections.
She also enjoys music—especially ’80s pop, which she often listens to via Alexa—and embraces technology in her daily life, doing nearly all her shopping on Amazon. Pinky would enjoy spending time with a volunteer who likes thoughtful conversation, books, history, current events, and learning about the world. She is always eager to connect, share stories, and engage in meaningful discussions.
Helen S.
Location:
- Coon Rapids
Biography:
Helen is a joyful and thoughtful woman with a deep appreciation for life’s connections and a strong sense of purpose rooted in her passions for teaching, music, and family. Born in Hot Springs, South Dakota—nestled in the Black Hills—she is the oldest of six children. She speaks with admiration of her father, a gifted baseball player whose dreams of the major leagues were set aside when he had to return to the family farm after his own father’s sudden passing.
A scholarship took Helen to a Catholic university in Denver, where she briefly considered joining the convent. Eventually, she completed her degree in elementary education at the University of Minnesota while living in a Dinkytown dorm with 15 other women. She supported herself by working for the head of the chemistry department and cherished those lively, formative years.
Helen spent 22 years teaching second grade full-time, subbed for several more, and also mentored many young educators. Her classroom was a place of encouragement where every child was reminded that they were special and unique. She raised eight children of her own and spent many years as a single Mom. Her legacy of love, strength, and creativity lives on in her 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
A talented pianist, Helen has been surrounded by music all her life. She once played in a high school dance band called The Jumping Jacks and has passed her musical gift down through generations. She’s also a whiz at cards, especially Gin Rummy, 99, and “Old Hell.”
Open-hearted Helen loves conversation, especially with people who enjoy learning from each other. She also enjoys chair yoga, taking gentle walks, and is looking forward to visits at home. While she’s open to anyone, she feels a female companion would likely be the best fit. She uses a landline and may need a little extra time to reach the phone.
Virginia P.
Location:
- Lake Elmo
Biography:
A lifelong traveler, Virginia has explored much of the United States and several countries abroad. She particularly loved Switzerland and enjoys conversations about travel, history, and how communities have changed over the years. Born in Tracy, Minnesota, once the boxcar capital of the world, she grew up on a farm and has vivid memories of a time when travelers and railroad workers would stop by for meals and conversation. Her childhood included moves between Minnesota and Oregon, experiences that shaped her resilience and independence.
Virginia values meaningful conversation and would enjoy spending time with someone who likes to listen, share stories, go out for coffee, or simply chat. She has a wonderful memory for people, places, and life experiences. One topic that is especially important to her is remembering her beloved adopted son, Jay, who passed away from cancer four years ago at age 47. She appreciates the opportunity to talk about his life, the memories they shared, and the impact he had on her. She also enjoys reflecting on family, friendships, and the many lessons she has learned throughout the years.
Virginia is an avid gardener, though she can no longer do as much as she would like. She volunteered in church gardens for more than 40 years and transformed the garden at her mother’s nursing home into a beautiful, welcoming space. While she enjoys all kinds of gardening, flowers are her favorite, especially hostas and azaleas.
Virginia worked in a variety of roles throughout her career, including many years as a legal assistant. She takes pride in her strong work ethic and the relationships she built along the way. Those who spend time with Virginia will find a thoughtful, caring, resilient woman who has experienced both joy and loss and who continues to value friendship, connection, and heartfelt conversation. Please request a conversation with a Friends & Co staff member for important details if you wish to become Virginia’s Visiting Companion.
Betty B.
Location:
- St. Paul
Biography:
Betty grew up in northern Minnesota, born in Park Rapids and attending school in Akeley from kindergarten through graduation. As the second oldest of eight siblings—five girls and three boys—she learned early the value of responsibility, hard work, and family. Life on the farm meant pitching in wherever needed, from caring for younger siblings and handling household chores to outdoor work like feeding chickens. She even hauled and spread manure with her brother for ten cents a load—saving enough to buy her own horse, Macaroni, who kept her on her toes with a spirited personality.
After high school, Betty married and raised three children—Randy, Michael, and Jessica—whom she proudly says were the center of her life. Following her divorce, she showed remarkable determination by building her own home over six years while working at a marina. Later, she blended families with her second husband, Gene, welcoming three stepchildren into her life.
Betty has worn many hats throughout her career, including school bus driver, bartender, cake decorator, breakfast manager, and retail associate. At one point, she juggled five jobs at once. Eventually, she moved closer to her grandchildren in the city, where she enjoyed being an active part of their lives. She officially retired in December 2024 and is embracing this new chapter.
Betty enjoys staying active and creative. She loves walking—especially at Lake Phalen—and hopes to complete a 5K. Her hobbies include quilting, painting by numbers, gardening, and playing online games as a video game tester. She also enjoys shopping, dining out, and picnics, and dreams of attending a senior dance venue.
Betty would thrive with a caring, upbeat volunteer who enjoys conversation, laughter, and meaningful time together. A love of cats is essential—her friendly cat, Nessie, will make sure of it!
Josey & Russell W.
Location:
- Mounds View
Biography:
Josey and Russ have built a life rooted in service, curiosity, spirited conversation, and community involvement. Married for 54 years, they began their story the very day Russ returned home from Vietnam. Russ likes to joke that Josey was the first woman who ever talked back to him—and 42 days later, they were married. In true adventurous fashion, they eloped to Vancouver, only realizing partway through the trip that they were actually on their way to get married.
Josey was born in Warsaw, Indiana, and spent much of her childhood moving throughout Wisconsin as her father, Edward, pursued advanced studies in agriculture while her mother, Evelyn, cared for their growing family. The oldest of eight children, Josey learned responsibility early. After graduating from a Catholic high school in Ladysmith, she earned a degree in chemistry from The College of St. Scholastica before entering a Benedictine convent, where she taught chemistry at both the high school and college levels until age 25.
Her career reflected a lifelong commitment to serving others. She conducted heart disease research at the University of Minnesota, worked as a community organizer with nonprofit organizations and in senior housing, served with the Minnesota Department of Revenue, the Attorney General’s Office, the Legislature, and the State of Minnesota, and, while working at the Legislature, earned her law degree. She went on to build a successful solo law practice specializing in estates, wills, and trusts, retiring only a few years ago.
Russ grew up in Northeast Minneapolis, the son of Kenneth and Lois, alongside four siblings. After graduating from Edison High School, he joined the Army in 1967. Following basic training, he attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, where he learned Vietnamese and became an intercept operator and translator. During four years of military service, Russ served as a linguist in Quang Tri near Vietnam’s northern border. Although stationed in one of the war’s most dangerous regions, he says he had a guardian angel because he never saw combat. His skill as a translator eventually led him to train other linguists. After leaving the Army, Russ built a 44-year career with Prudential Financial, retiring in 2022.
Since 1972, Josey and Russ have shared another passion: civic engagement. They have been deeply involved in DFL politics throughout Ramsey County and today volunteer as advisors to political candidates. Josey has served on the Planning Commission, Russ on the Charter Commission, and both continue to stay actively involved in local government and community affairs.
They have lived in the same home since 1977, creating a life centered on learning, public service, and each other. Josey jokes that, as the oldest of eight children, she had already completed her motherhood years spent helping raise her siblings, which shaped their decision not to have children. Asked the secret to a successful marriage, they answer with a smile: “Know how to argue—and know when to stop.”
Conversation comes easily in their home. Josey enjoys gardening, fishing, animals, literature, poetry, biographies, and belongs to two book clubs. Russ enjoys historical fiction, history, politics, and current events. Together they enjoy discussing ideas, beliefs, values, community organizing, and life experiences—preferably over a good cup of coffee. They also enjoy unwinding with episodes of Blue Bloods. This enjoyable pair looks forward to welcoming you into their lives, either at home or out and about in the community.
Jeanne H.
Location:
- Coon Rapids
Biography:
Jeanne graduated from Edison High School in Minneapolis in 1954, where she enjoyed singing in the glee club and spending time with friends.
Her parents owned Andy’s, a restaurant and bar on Central Avenue, and the family lived in an apartment attached to the business. Jeanne’s mother was the cook, and after high school, Jeanne worked alongside her. Family life was busy, and although she had hoped to attend college, she made helping at the restaurant her priority. One joyful occasion hosted at Andy’s was her sister, Beverley’s, wedding, at which Jeanne fondly recalls being a junior bridesmaid. Beverly was nine years older than Jeanne and moved to California after her marriage.
It was there that she met her future husband, Jim. He first came in as a customer, but it soon became clear he was more interested in Jeanne than in her mother’s cooking. The two married in Brainerd and later settled in Brooklyn Center, where they raised a son and a daughter.
Life took an unexpected turn in 1977 when Jim died suddenly, just two weeks before Christmas, and as their children were approaching graduation. Determined to provide for her family, Jeanne went to work full-time at Control Data. Around that same time, her widowed mother moved in with her, bringing comfort and companionship to them both.
Today, Jeanne lives in a senior community near her daughter-in-law. While she enjoys friendly connections with neighbors and occasionally joins others for lunch or shopping trips, she misses the deeper friendships she once shared. She fondly remembers visiting friends in one another’s homes, going out for coffee, exchanging recipes, and keeping up with the everyday happenings.
Jeanne would welcome a companion who enjoys easy conversation, sharing stories, and building a friendship that grows naturally over time. For her, the simple pleasure of spending time together is what matters most.