People of West Seattle appreciate Flora Belle Key. She has spent her whole life of nearly 77 years being there for other people and most recently hosted patio events for such groups as the League of Women Voters, the West Seattle Senior Center and the Committee to Stop Drug Ads on Television.

Her wrap-around patio is gloriously welcoming with umbrella tables, flower plantings and bowls of popcorn—her trademark offering at every gathering.

Her style is come one, come all. No RSVPs necessary. A far cry from my “better let me know you are coming” method of entertaining. Whenever she knows someone needs a ride or needs help, she is there. Flora Belle is in constant contact with her sister in California who is now facing the end of her life.

Just the other day she found out that I needed a ride to Tacoma to do a standup comedy appearance at my daughter’s church and was there with her vintage diesel Mercedes-Benz to pick me up, giving me moral support at the open mike evening.

I told the audience that a young woman in her 70s brought me. I can do almost anything but drive on the 60 mile freeway at night.

The other day Flora Belle was reminiscing about her twins that came more than a month early requiring them to stay at the hospital in incubators for weeks. She said she felt like she had only been to the doctor for a tonsilectomy as she didn’t have any babies to bring home. I told her that my first two were 19 months apart but even with this challenge I couldn’t imagine being on demand for two premature newborns.

She could also reminisce about a time that she dared to fly to Korea to teach English to young children. Even though she prides herself on being flexible, this experience really tested her ability to roll with the punches as it were. Few people spoke English and life in the congested high rises of the big city was a far cry from her West Seattle lifestyle.

Never afraid of a challenge, she won a chance to walk on the fashion runway in the Better with Time contest open to women in their mature years.

And remember the senior prom at the senior center that was featured on the West Seattle Web site? There was Flora Belle and her dancing partner swinging and swaying. You can find her volunteering at the Log House Museum, flying to a Crone convention for camaraderie with older women, and always a loyal supporter of her political party.

Even after all the patio gatherings she has hosted, she is planning a reunion with her ex-flight attendant friends and one with her Kappa Delta Sorority and soon will host a party to celebrate all those who worked with Lezlie James in providing strip parks along Beach Drive.

But she sighs when she looks into her address book and notes the many old friends whose names are crossed off. With her ability to make friends, however, she will just keep adding new names. Yes, she is the host with the most.

Georgie Bright Kunkel is a freelance writer who can be reached at gnkunkel@comcast.net or 206-935-8663.