What started in Hudson Falls in 1977 has come full circle more than four decades later — this time with wedding rings, second chances, and a deep connection built on memory, care, and community.
Rae Marie Locke was five. Rich J. was six. As next-door neighbors and childhood friends, they spent their earliest summers riding bikes and drawing on sidewalks. But like many childhood stories, life eventually led them in different directions. They lost touch, married, had children, and navigated both happiness and hardship along the way.
In December 2020, during one of Rae’s regular visits to help care for her mother during cancer treatments, she was flipping through a photo album when a picture of Rich’s sister appeared. At that moment, by pure timing, Rae received a Facebook message from Rich. They reconnected that evening and talked until 3 a.m. They’ve remained close ever since.
Rich proposed in August 2024, and on April 12, 2025, Rae and Rich were married, surrounded by loved ones and the community Rae has long supported at The Landing at Queensbury, where she works as Senior Health and Wellness Director.
Their relationship is grounded in shared experience and mutual purpose. Both Rae and Rich have spent their adult lives supporting others. Rae, after working 17 years as a charge nurse on a young adult TBI unit in Saratoga, found a new chapter at The Landing in 2012. Inspired by her late daughter Abbey’s respect for older adults, Rae walked into The Landing on a whim and immediately recognized it as the right fit. She started as a floor nurse in Memory Care, worked her way into leadership, and now oversees health and wellness for residents with care and consistency.
Rich also brings decades of professional experience aimed at supporting independence. At Bobrick Washroom Equipment, Inc., where he has worked for nearly 30 years, he leads a team in the Toilet Partition Department. His work ensures accessibility in public and private spaces, contributing to safer environments for people of all ages and abilities, including older adults. Though his role is not within The Landing itself, its impact is part of the broader framework that supports residents’ daily lives.
Adding to the joy of the day was Rae’s close friendship with Cara Carley, Sales and Marketing Director at The Landing at Queensbury. The two grew especially close while planning the wedding, and Cara played a heartfelt role in the celebration. Though not a bridesmaid, she joined in the unforgettable ladies’ special dance — bringing fun, laughter, and another layer of meaning to an already emotional day.
Together, Rae and Rich are drawing on their shared history to move forward, side by side.
Their story, rooted in the Hudson Falls and Queensbury communities, mirrors the day-to-day life at The Landing at Queensbury: a place where relationships are shaped over time, where people look out for one another, and where familiar faces often become lifelong friends.
The couple’s story was celebrated on WNYT’s ‘The Greater Good in our Community’ segment.
“At The Landing, we’re more than a senior living community — we’re a family,” said Alisha Stosic, Executive Director. “Whether it’s rekindled love, lasting friendships, or a renewed sense of purpose, our community believes that the best chapters of life can still be ahead.”
“We’re honored to walk alongside our residents as they live those stories every day,” she added.
Experience the Difference of True Community
At The Landing at Queensbury, connection, care, and purpose come together to create a vibrant place to call home. Our welcoming environment helps residents embrace the best years of retirement, surrounded by friends who feel like family. Schedule a tour today and see what makes life here so special!