Intergenerational Friendships

When Kaylee Priddy was invited to a dinner party for artists and intellectuals at Pamela Handelman’s house, she found more than just a good meal and conversation. The evening kicked off an immediate friendship between the two artists and activists, bringing together kindred spirits five decades apart in age, and the beginning of a relationship neither one expected... roommates.

On Pittsburgh’s North Side, community work has a way of bringing people of all ages together. For Carla Arnold and Tricia Patsilevas, it’s also brought lots of laughter — and a few unexpected adventures. They met several years ago during a neighborhood cleanup. Carla had been volunteering for years; Tricia was new to the neighborhood and came to help with her husband. Carla remembers thinking Tricia was quiet, but admits she got that wrong. “She’s very opinionated,” Carla laughs. Tricia’s first impression was that Carla could “take control” and direct people where they needed to be, something she related to: “I was, like, oh, yeah, I like her!”

Hazel Leroy’s life took an unexpected turn in 2013 when she attended a performance by Shannon Knapp’s new theater company. Hazel was a 59-year-old professor and performer who had stepped away from acting for nearly 20 years. Instead of just an evening of theater, Hazel found a path back to performing — and a lifelong friendship.

Larry reflects, "After I retired for good, I started volunteering at the Heinz History Center. Up to that point, I hadn’t talked about my military time at all. Most Vietnam vets didn’t—coming home was not a pleasant experience. We just put it aside and lived our lives. But at the History Center, I would give tours to other veterans and would often talk about our experiences. That’s when I met Lee. He was working with a group of veterans and bringing them to see an exhibit on Vietnam. He impressed me how he treated those older Vietnam vets with such respect. They treated him as a comrade. That bond was instant. Veterans tend to connect that way, no matter what era they served in. The surprise was how close I felt to a younger vet. I’ve met many veterans, but with Lee, the connection was immediate and strong—almost like with a brother. It took me by surprise, because you don't go out looking for something like that, and I’m grateful for it. And when he’s retired someday, I know he’ll look for those same connections with younger generations. That’s how it continues.

Lee shares, "I admire Larry’s intelligence and memory—how he remembers everything, and he uses that to connect with other veterans and teach other generations about our history. When we present to high school kids, he’ll ask the questions he knows they want to ask, in a way that helps us answer and keeps them engaged. That’s impressive, and I aspire to that."