Meet Village Veranda's Dancing Queen

Published: September 1, 2022

Lyn Trudeau has danced since she was around five years old. She remembers hanging bed sheets on the clothesline in the backyard as the backdrop for performances with her sister at their home in the Chicago suburbs.

Now 80 years old and living at the
Village Veranda at Lady Lake in Florida, she'll say her dancing days are behind her. Throw on “Barbara Ann” by The Beach Boys or “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley, though, and the rhythm immediately flows through her.

She'll twist her hips, shimmy her shoulders, clap to the beat and maybe even grab an unsuspecting resident of her retirement facility to twirl her around.

She might even break out a move or two from her show days opening for some of the most popular singers of the 1960s, from the Rat Pack to Mel Tormé.

“When the music is on, I just move,” Trudeau said after demonstrating a kick line and pretending to fluff her dress skirt up behind her.

She studied dance growing up and was the first in her family to forgo school for a different passion.

“I just loved to dance and perform, and it was fun, practicing all the time, tapping around the house and ruining the floors,” she said. “My parents had gone to college, and my sister had been, and here’s Lyn off dancing.”

Trudeau studied jazz, tap, and ballet and took classes with Rudy Noel, a well-known choreographer in Chicago. When he was asked to provide dancers to open and close shows, he selected Trudeau as one of six to become the Rudy Noel Dancers.

She danced with the group for three to four years in her early 20s in the 1960s opening for famous singers that came through Chicago.

The biggest was the Rat Pack, consisting of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford. She also opened for big names like Mel Tormé, Vic Damone, Anita Bryant and Eydie Gormé.

Trudeau remembers Sinatra and Martin keeping mostly to themselves, but her eyes light up when she reminisces about Davis.

“He was a great guy, and he was the only one that was personable,” she said. “Sammy Davis was really friendly and talked with us and sat with us and carried on. He was just so friendly and full of fun and liked to goof off with the ladies.”

Not to mention he had a great voice, she says.

Trudeau left show business a few years later when she got married but still considers dance a defining part of her life, whether as a young girl in the backyard, a professional on the big stage or the life of the dance floor in the activity room of Village Veranda at Lady Lake.

Our Latest

October 28, 2026
SRI Management is pleased to welcome The Legacy at Oak Hill , an assisted living and memory care community in Southwest Austin, to its portfolio. The addition follows the August arrival of two Larkspur communities and marks continued growth for SRI Management in Texas. The Legacy at Oak Hill is in Austin’s Oak Hill neighborhood, just off U.S. Highway 290, surrounded by the natural beauty of Texas Hill Country. Residents are close to the trails at Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park, golf at The Hills Country Club, local coffee shops, and a wide range of restaurants, with easy access to shopping and the rest of Austin. Assisted Living The Legacy at Oak Hill offers all-inclusive assisted living for older adults who want to stay active and independent with support available around the clock. Personalized care plans, medication management, and wellness monitoring are supported by 24-hour staffing. On-site occupational, physical, and speech therapy through Select Rehabilitation helps residents stay strong and mobile. Weekly housekeeping, laundry, maintenance, and scheduled transportation to appointments, shopping, and outings are all included. Residents can choose from studio, deluxe studio, one-bedroom, and shared studio apartments. Kitchenettes are included in the deluxe studio and one-bedroom floor plans. Every apartment has individually controlled heating and air, with utilities and basic cable included, and residents are encouraged to bring their own furnishings and decor to make the space feel like home. Memory Care The Legacy at Oak Hill’s all-inclusive memory care program serves residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in a specialized, secure setting. The program looks at the whole person, including emotional, social, spiritual, and physical needs, with memory-enhancing and sensory-based activities, a calm dining environment, and 24-hour support from compassionate caregivers. Private studio apartments offer comfort and security, and families are supported through education and open communication. Life at The Legacy at Oak Hill Three chef-prepared meals are served daily in a restaurant-style dining room, made with fresh ingredients that are never frozen or precooked. Around the community, residents gather in a great room with a limestone fireplace and grand piano, catch a movie in a theater with leather recliners, play billiards, or spend time in the library, game room, and craft rooms. A fitness and therapy room, a full-service salon and barber shop, and an inner courtyard with paved walking paths and a covered pergola patio round out the amenities. The community is also pet-friendly. The activity calendar keeps every day full, from watercolor classes and cooking demonstrations to bridge games, walking club, cornhole tournaments, social hour, and trips to local boutiques. New residents are welcomed through the community’s HEARTS© program, which is designed to make moving in feel easier and more personal from the very first day. “The Legacy at Oak Hill has a strong foundation and a team that cares about the people they serve,” said Todd Filippone, President of SRI Management . “We’re proud to welcome them and look forward to supporting their continued success in Austin.” “Our focus from day one is on the residents, their families, and the team members who care for them,” said DeAndra Downer, Vice President of Operations . “We’re committed to listening, learning what makes this community special, and building on it together.” Welcome Home To the residents, families, and team members of The Legacy at Oak Hill: welcome to the SRI Management family. We’re honored to be part of your community and look forward to the years ahead together. For more information, visit: www.thelegacyatoakhill.com Community Address: The Legacy at Oak Hill 7501 US-290 W, Austin, Texas 78736
October 19, 2026
We are pleased to announce the promotions of Wade Goodman to Senior Vice President of Marketing and Ryan Carlson to Chief People Officer . Both promotions were announced by CEO Don W. Bishop during the company's 2026 Corporate Conference, held October 14–16 in Tallahassee, Florida. These promotions recognize the leadership, contributions, and commitment both executives have demonstrated while supporting the continued growth of SR Companies and its family of businesses. Wade Goodman Promoted to Senior Vice President of Marketing Previously serving as Vice President of Marketing, Wade Goodman has played an important role in supporting the growth of our senior living operations through strategic marketing. As Senior Vice President of Marketing, Goodman will continue providing leadership for the organization's marketing efforts, focusing on strengthening brand awareness, supporting occupancy growth, and identifying opportunities to advance the company's marketing initiatives. His experience, industry knowledge, and commitment to developing strong teams have made him a valued leader within the organization. Ryan Carlson Promoted to Chief People Officer Ryan Carlson, previously Senior Vice President of Human Resources, has been promoted to Chief People Officer, further strengthening the organization's executive leadership team. In this role, Carlson will oversee the company's people strategies, including human resources, talent acquisition and development, employee engagement, workforce initiatives, and organizational culture. Carlson has been instrumental in supporting our growing workforce and advancing initiatives that reinforce the organization's people-first philosophy. His leadership has helped support a workplace culture centered on the company's core values of Character, Compassion, Commitment, Consistency, and Communication. Both Goodman and Carlson have demonstrated a commitment to the company's mission of serving with purpose while treating others as they would like to be treated. Their promotions reflect our commitment to recognizing internal talent, developing its leaders, and building a strong foundation for continued growth.
October 10, 2026
October 10, 2026 [10:30 AM EST] Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, Florida last night as a Category 2 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. Overnight, the storm weakened to a post-tropical cyclone as it moved through Alabama, and the immediate threat to our communities has passed. Heavy rain and gusty winds remain possible further inland through the weekend. We’re pleased to report that all of our communities along the storm’s path came through the night safely. Some properties experienced brief power outages, downed trees, and minor property impacts, and our teams are actively working through cleanup and repairs this morning. Everyone — residents and staff alike — is safe and accounted for. We want to recognize our on-site teams for their hard work and dedication throughout this storm. They prepared all week, stayed with our residents through the night, and have been responding quickly to whatever came up. Their commitment made a real difference. Thank you to our residents, families, and communities for your patience and support throughout this storm. We will continue to monitor conditions closely and share updates on our weather page ( srimgt.link/weather ) as they become available.
More News