Jim and Naomi Satterthwaite are the epitome of the American Way, working hard their whole lives. Jim was a plant shift operating supervisor for Consumers Energy and Naomi, a stay at home mom who worked a variety of odd jobs. They moved many times and lived all over Michigan, brought up two children, and because other children came into their lives that needed a helping hand, they took in four foster children.  Eventually they retired to Florida.

They believed in giving back to Masonry, their church and community. Jim is a member of Grand Haven Lodge #139 and Alma Lodge #244. He is a Past Master of the Grand Haven Lodge, is a Past President of the International High Twelve and is currently his local High Twelve Club secretary. Jim is a member of the Shrine and also current High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons, Chapter #123. Naomi has been a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for many years and is a current member of Alma Chapter #43. They have always been active in the United Methodist Church, with both of them in the choir, plus Jim as a past Sunday School teacher. Jim volunteered for the Red Cross and was a CPR instructor for many years, and Naomi always seemed to end up in a kitchen, helping with special events and meals.

In his retirement years, Jim’s health began to decline. He started to weaken and needed dialysis treatments. It was then that they decided to move to Masonic Pathways Village Estates. They thought they would get established early, make friends and enjoy all that the home had to offer. Recently, the couple has moved into the Masonic Pathways main building, where Jim receives the ongoing care he needs. Jim states, “This  is like living in a big beautiful home with family all around you.”

Now, Jim plans to live each day to the fullest and knows that if something happens to him, his children will not have to carry a burden, and his beloved Naomi will be taken care of in every way, including financially. Because Jim has been a loyal Mason for 62 years, and Naomi, a loyal Order of the Eastern Star member, the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation, through the generous support of its donors, is there to ensure that they don’t have to worry about finances or needing dialysis treatments. They shared that, “If we had stayed in our home, we would have been lost without all this help at our fingertips.”