The staging of 'The Story of My Life' at Asbury Memorial filled with serendipitous moments

The staging of 'The Story of My Life' at Asbury Memorial filled with serendipitous moments 
Savannah Morning News, Savannah, GA; by Amy Paige Condon; 3/6/25 
... [Ray] Ellis, a retired music and drama teacher who works now as a caregiver, and fellow church member Dottie Kluttz, a retired hospice nurse, were hanging decorations in Asbury Memorial’s Social Hall. Ellis shared how his dream of producing “The Story of My Life” was back on his mind … A former hospice nurse, Kluttz founded Savannah Hospice’s Story Keeping program in 2001 as a way for people near the end of their lives to share the story of their lives. …  [Click here to read the serendipitous, synergistic encounters that unfolded, resulting in shows March 28, 29, 30. Having received full underwriting for production costs,] Ellis proposed that ticket sales for the musical could serve as a fundraiser for Savannah Hospice’s Story Keeping program and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research—a nonprofit near and dear to Ellis, who was diagnosed about three years ago with the progressive brain disease that causes tremors, stiffness and balance problems. … Stage and film actor Mark Rand, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s around the same time as Ellis, agreed to portray Thomas to Ellis’s Alvin—even after Rand thought he would never perform again. … 
Editor's note: Serendipitous moments abound full circle. Ray's dad, Roy Ellis, was the photographic storykeeper for our church community through my growing-up years in Savannah, Georgia. Roy Ellis continually captured spontaneous moments of fun interactions and community for all things full of life and living. (Photos were put on bulletin boards and then freely given to whomever was in them.) Ray's dad Roy was the professional photographer for my sisters' weddings, creating treasured family photos that tell our stories back-then of our beloved family members who have since died. The Ellis home was always open to all, including me through a "homeless" Christmas week in college when my parents were living overseas. Through those years, Ray's sister Linda taught me so much. Ray's mom, Delores? Oh my. She's my hero for how I hope to age. While this newsletter space is limited, my gratitude to the Ellis family and celebration of Ray's production of "The Story of My Life" are unlimited. May the circle of our stories abound further ... [Click here to read more.]