From the moment visitors step into Cedarhurst of Nicholasville, they’re greeted by two of the community’s most beloved ambassadors - Gene Beard and his four-legged sidekick, Ellie. Gene, a retired creative mind who spent his career working for Hallmark and pioneering trends in the Christmas tree industry, has found a new passion in his golden years: helping others discover the warmth of his Cedarhurst home.
Gene’s journey to Cedarhurst was shaped by a lifetime of bold decisions, beginning with the moment he walked into Hallmark’s headquarters and simply asked for a job. “I felt the place was so large, they must have room for me somewhere in the corporation,” Gene recalls. And they did, placing him in a new product development. Later, he worked for Papercraft in Pittsburgh, developing everything from Cabbage Patch Kids wrapping paper to the best-selling ‘Christmas is Love’ design that graced countless gifts.
His career took him across the world, from designing decorative paper to overseeing the production of artificial Christmas trees in China. For the last 25 years of his career, Gene worked with Puleo International, a family-owned company led by a father and his three sons. “Those years were the highlight of my career,” Gene says. “Tony and I spent weeks on end developing artificial Christmas trees, fiber optic villages, and outdoor products.” But for all his career successes, Gene’s greatest pride isn’t in a design portfolio - it’s in his 46 years of sobriety, achieved “one day at a time.”
“It was all a bed of roses when I worked at Hallmark,” Gene shares. “But I also learned to enjoy the bottle a little too much.” After turning to Alcoholics Anonymous, he met a sponsor who became his life partner for 42 years. “We went to meetings and conferences together. Then, when he developed Alzheimer’s, I cared for him at home as long as I could. When it became too much, I placed him in memory care at Cedarhurst of Beaumont. That was in 2019, and he passed in 2020.”
Though grief weighed heavily, Gene found comfort in Cedarhurst’s community. When his own health needs changed, he made Cedarhurst of Nicholasville his home. “I waited a year, trying to make it work with an in-home caregiver, but I realized I needed more help. I’ve now been here close to a year, and I have no regrets.”
Now, Gene spends his days ensuring others feel just as welcome. As an ambassador, he joins Director of Sales Ronica Reid on tours, offering an honest perspective on life at Cedarhurst. And of course, Ellie plays a starring role. “It’s a lot of fun,” Gene says. “Ellie loves meeting new people, and they love meeting her.”
For Ronica, working with Gene and Ellie is a dream come true. “Gene speaks from his heart,” she says. “He really wants families to understand what a great place Cedarhurst is. And Ellie - are you kidding? Having her tag along in all her cuteness is the best!”
Ronica, too, has a deep personal connection to Cedarhurst. Before she ever met Gene, their lives were unknowingly intertwined. “My dad had dementia, and I placed him in Cedarhurst of Beaumont the same year Gene placed his partner there,” she recalls. “COVID hit, so I never met his partner or even saw Gene. But I like to think my dad and Eddie got to know one another, maybe sitting together at meals or participating in activities. What are the odds that I’d later become the Director of Sales here in Nicholasville and work with Gene?”
The connection is more than coincidence, it’s a testament to the kind of place Cedarhurst is. “When I placed my dad, I was exhausted and heartbroken because my mom had passed away just six months earlier,” Ronica shares. “Cedarhurst not only saved my dad, but they saved me too. I will be forever grateful.”
With Gene and Ellie leading the way, prospective residents don’t just get a tour, they get a glimpse into the genuine friendships and support that define life at Cedarhurst. “Gene was always a ‘man about town’, attending dinner parties given by Gloria Vanderbilt back in the 1980s, no less,” Ronica laughs. “Being a resident ambassador is a perfect fit for him.”
For Gene, the role is about more than just showing people around. It’s about helping them see that moving to Cedarhurst is not an end, but a beginning. “I hope people learn that there’s an adjustment, sure, but this is the place they need to be to live safer, happier, and longer,” he says.
That sentiment shines through in the joy Gene finds in everyday moments, whether it’s watching Ellie race ahead during a tour or seeing a new resident find their footing. “If I hadn’t gotten the feeling from the entire staff in the beginning, I wouldn’t have come here,” he says. “The food, the care - these folks are here for me.”
As Cedarhurst’s ultimate welcoming committee, Gene and Ellie prove that home isn’t just a place - it’s the people (and pets) who fill it with love. And for those considering a move, there’s no better guide than a man who has spent his life embracing new opportunities, one bold step at a time.
This story was originally published in the Spring 2025 issue of Flourish® Magazine. Gene passed away in May of 2025. This story is dedicated to his memory, with the support of his family.
About the Author
Ryan Davis is the Corporate Communications Manager at Cedarhurst Senior Living and the writer behind every story in Flourish® magazine. He holds a Communications degree from Indiana University and brings 19 years of experience to his role, which he began in January 2024. Ryan is passionate about storytelling, especially sharing the meaningful lives of Cedarhurst residents, families, and staff. He hopes each published story becomes a treasured legacy for loved ones.
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