Rooted in Gratitude

Volunteer Spotlight: Kathy Engeman

When Kathy Engeman first arrived at A.G. Rhodes Atlanta last year for therapy and rehabilitation following a sudden illness, she wasn’t sure what to expect.

A lifelong outdoorswoman who owns and manages a farm in Locust Grove—which includes peacocks, llamas, goats, and a greenhouse full of plants—the idea of being indoors for rehabilitation felt daunting. After a 23-day hospital stay, she knew she needed additional care, but she worried it would be a difficult experience.

“My biggest fear was being enclosed because I’m never inside. I said, ‘This is going to be bad.’ And it wasn’t. I couldn’t believe it. I enjoyed every moment.”

During her 48-day stay, Kathy found more than just physical healing. Even while part of her recovery required isolation, she said she never felt alone. Staff and residents checked in often, creating a sense of connection that surprised her.

“I had a good time, and I made lots of friends there,” she said.

As she regained strength—recovering from kidney failure and weeks of dialysis—Kathy explored more of the community around her. She joined activities, listened to music, and spent time in the gardens.

“I did things I never dreamed of,” she said.

A trained horticulturist, Kathy was especially drawn to the Horticultural Therapy program, led by Horticultural Therapy Director Kirk Hines.

“I learned a lot of things I didn’t know,” she said. “Kirk has so much knowledge of plants—where they came from and what they’re used for. And he enjoyed the fact that I was a horticulturist, because we could talk plants.”

After returning home, and back to caring for her land and animals, Kathy felt a pull to come back.

“I just felt like I needed to do something as a payback,” she said. “So I asked him (Kirk), ‘Could I help you?’ And he said, ‘Sure.’”

Now at 83 years old, Kathy returns to A.G. Rhodes Atlanta once a week as a volunteer. She helps maintain the gardens and plants, brings in plants from her own greenhouse, and shares her knowledge with staff and residents.

“I figured the best thing I could do was make everything as pretty as I could for them. It’s already a beautiful place—I’m just adding a little more color here and there.”

For Kathy, it’s a simple way to give back to a place that gave her more than she expected.

April 2026