Soaring Through the Skies: Evelyn Kidd's Dream Come TRUE

At 96 years old, Evelyn Kidd, a beloved resident of Cedarhurst of Tesson Heights, recently fulfilled a dream she had held close to her heart for decades.

In June, she took to the skies once more in a Cessna, thanks to Cedarhurst Senior Living’s Dream Come TRUE program, which grants one resident per community the opportunity to realize a lifelong wish. For Evelyn, this flight was more than just a return to the air; it was a poignant reminder of a life filled with love, adventure, and the joy of flying.

Evelyn's love affair with aviation began many years ago alongside her husband, Gene, a Navy aircraft mechanic with a passion for flight. After his service, Gene rekindled his love for aviation by restoring a wrecked airplane. In 1948, he obtained his pilot’s license, and together, the couple spent countless Sundays soaring through the skies, visiting relatives, and creating memories that would last a lifetime. 

While Evelyn learned to fly and developed a deep affection for it, she faced navigational challenges that prevented her from obtaining her pilot’s license. The experience of being in the air, the freedom it provided, and the unique perspective of the world below stayed with her long after her last flight with Gene. Evelyn cherished those memories, holding them close to her heart as she moved through the years.

Thanks to Elite Aviation, Evelyn had the opportunity to take to the skies once again. Accompanied by a fellow resident from Cedarhurst of Tesson Heights, Evelyn’s flight was a heartwarming occasion, not only for her but for everyone involved. As the Cessna lifted off, Evelyn’s face lit up with joy, the same joy she had felt all those years ago when she and Gene flew together.

“To fly along the Mississippi to see where the Missouri and Mississippi come together, that was great,” Evelyn shared, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

The flight took her over the Mississippi River, past the iconic Gateway Arch, and across the border into Illinois. It was a trip that reawakened the thrill of flying and allowed Evelyn to reconnect with a part of her life that had been on hold for so many years.

The significance of this flight was not lost on Evelyn. Reflecting on the experience, she said with a laugh, “I’m just glad I got to do it. At my age, what else can you do?” Her words capture the essence of a well-lived life, filled with gratitude for the opportunities she has had and the dreams she has been able to fulfill.

Her remarkable journey was shared with a local audience in St. Louis on KMOV, KMOX, and KSDK’s Making a Difference segment with Mike Bush. But it didn’t stop there; her story resonated so deeply that it was also featured on a national platform, the CBS Evening News’ Heart of America segment with Norah O’Donnell.

Through these broadcasts, Evelyn’s story of love, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of adventure reached countless people, inspiring others to dream and to believe in the possibility of those dreams coming true, no matter their age.

As Evelyn reflected on her Dream Come TRUE experience, she expressed a hope that others would have the same opportunity.

“I hope that next year somebody gets a wish, and it happens for them like it did for me, because it was really nice,” she said.

Her words are a testament to the impact that Cedarhurst Senior Living’s program has on its residents, allowing them to realize dreams that might otherwise seem out of reach.

This story originally appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of Flourish^® Magazine.

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.