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Two's Company!

By Karen Bagnard
Posted: 07/01/2026

When the founders of Pasadena Village first came together, their vision was a communal living arrangement. They hoped to plan a way to age together with mutual support and vitality. However, it became clear that this plan would not work in the Pasadena area, and no one wanted to leave this area, so they adjusted their plans. Using the Boston Village format as a model, the founders began this wonderful Village we have today.

Their dream has served us well. The concept of reciprocity and engagement came to a deep realization after the Eaton Fire when, in a matter of hours, over 40 Villagers were displaced. While many of them had friends and family nearby to shelter them, many did not and had to seek other lodging. Many Villagers who were able opened their doors to their Village friends. While most of these arrangements were temporary, a few have remained. 

I was displaced and stayed with my daughter and son-in-law in West LA for a week. While it felt safe and lovely, I desperately needed to be back on my own turf. I called the Village office to find out if there was anyone who could house me until I could figure out what to do. Katie Brandon, our Executive Director, suggested I call Villager Beverly Braun. Bev had offered a suite in her spacious home to a Villager with nowhere to go.

Bev and I did not know each other, but I called her, and we made arrangements to meet at her home. Our kids were in that meeting, as well. I was very impressed with her home, the suite she was offering, and the incredible warmth of her personality. I waited 3 days before I heard back from Beverly. She said she could offer me a six-month lease. 

Bev and I have now been living together successfully for about a year and a half. The lease was extended to “indefinitely” as has our friendship. Bev and I often remark on the good fortune we both have with our living situation. Here’s what she told me: “It’s been a thrill having you here. We have fun and I have become more involved in Village activities.”

There are other success stories of Villagers living together. Valerie Jones fled her burning home and car with friends who helped her as they, too, fled. Stopping briefly at another home, she heard from Diane Stokes, who offered her a place to stay with “no strings attached.” She also heard from Ron Scott who offered to drive her to Diane’s home. Valerie and Diane had only known each other a very short time but during that time they traveled to Japan together. That experience forged a deep understanding of each other and a growing friendship. Diane Stokes told me, “Wondering how to help the morning after the devastating fire, I gladly opened my home to my new friend Valerie, who had suddenly lost hers.”

Barbara Madden shared this wisdom with me: “For those of us who were displaced from our homes because they either no longer existed or were uninhabitable, there was minimal opportunity for deep consideration of compatibility. To be compatible means more than liking each other and mutual respect, which are basic requirements. It also means attention to possibly different daily rhythms, desire for socialization and quiet time.” Once Barbara accepted Jocelyn Keene’s hospitality, the two learned that they were quite compatible. Barbara went on, “We already liked each other, and although we each had been comfortably living alone for years, living together turned out to be a pleasure and deepened our friendship. I will be eternally grateful to Jocelyn for her generosity in sharing her home with me.”

Sally Asmundson was facing heart surgery a short week away when she escaped her home in the early morning of January 8. She spent the first few days with Paula Rao; after that she was in the hospital for surgery and then to her daughter’s for her initial recovery. Once able, she stayed with Nancy Goodell until she could return to her Altadena home in April. Both of these Villagers were longtime friends of Sally’s and both graciously opened their homes to her.

Nancy Pine also spent time at Paula Rao’s lovely home. Nancy said, “It was a relaxing and reassuring place to be at a time of turmoil.” Nancy and Paula had also been longtime friends at the Village. As they shared living space, they continued their separate activities but enjoyed most dinners together.

Jane Brackman and Brigid Blackledge are now living together in a unique and wonderful arrangement. These two women have been longtime friends and both were displaced by the fire. While Jane was able to return to her home, Brigid’s home was completely destroyed. She spent a year house-sitting for 1 friend or another. Finally, Jane told her to just move in to see if they and their 5 dogs (Jane has 3 and Brigid has 2) could make it work. Happily, the living arrangements between Jane and Brigid - and their 5 dogs - are working out very smoothly. Brigid will be there until she can find a new home.

Al Miller and Ron Scott were roommates long before the fire. While neither was directly affected by the fire, I want to include them in this article to illustrate that it doesn’t take a catastrophe to make sharing living space a viable option. Al told me he moved in with his friend Ron after relocating from Northern California to Pasadena. Their living arrangement worked well because they had known each other for many years and had compatible ways of living. “We each had our own private spaces to retreat to when we needed alone time,” Al told me.

Recently Ron moved to assisted living which left Al in search of a new roommate. He found one… less than half his age!  His current roommate, Adam, works remotely 2 days a week and on the west side the other 3 days. Their schedules seem to be very workable for both, and although they don’t see that much of each other, Al enjoys this arrangement and finds Adam “a really nice guy.”

Our Villagers and our community came together in many meaningful ways after the Eaton Fire. We continue to support each other as we restore our lives. The words “It takes a Village” could not be truer. In addition, many of us have learned the skills and the joys of co-habitation. In this time of our lives and in this community of ever-rising rents and cost of living increases, finding the right roommate and the right living space can make a huge difference in quality of life, as well as affordability. It’s an option worth exploring.