POULSBO — When Gail Zinc first announced her plans to become general manager of North Kitsap’s newest senior assisted living and memory care community, people began to look to Poulsbo.

Her former employees, co-workers and even residents she has served during her 20-year stint in the industry wanted to continue their positive, personal relationship with the likeable lady. So, when she decided to work at Montclair Park and Haven Crest on Lincoln Road — almost everyone else came with her.

The large facility has been in the construction phase for the better part of a year but is on schedule to open next month, Business Office Manager Nancie Melde said. Melde knows long-term health care from both sides of the fence, as an employee and as a daughter whose mother’s life has come to depend on others.

After Zinc informed the office manager that she was relocating to the Poulsbo business, Melde did what she has done three previous times when the general manager has moved — she moved her mother to the facility in Zinc’s care.

“It’s a phenomenal group,” Melde explained, noting that while it was difficult to “pick up and follow” Zinc, the move was always worth it. “She saved my life when I found her (after the second move). That’s the kind of person I want to work for.”

And so she is. But so are many others who have come to respect Zinc over her career.

“We have a staff here that agrees to our philosophy of care,” Zinc said. “We want to be (the residents’) family and create a community here.”

Marketing Director Judy Haworth has been employed in the long-term health care field for about six years. When she crossed paths with Zinc though, she seemed to know they were meant to work together.

While Zinc pointed out that she has a Masters Degree in Social Work, Haworth jokes that she has a “TMK.”

“Too many kids,” she explained with a laugh. Seven to be exact.

In addition to her ready sense of humor, Haworth has been a good addition to the team in many other ways as well. Over 50 percent of the units offered at the site have already been reserved and the grand opening is still one month away.

Zinc opened her first assisted living community in Denver, Colo. about two decades ago and while she has had many jobs at many facilities since, her goal to provide the best care she can offer has remained a focal point.

A few years ago, she was transferred to a down-trodden 187-unit center near Seattle called “Sterling Park.”

“It was pretty much in the tank and I was sent to the rescue,” Zinc explained. Her work there caught the attention of Altera, a long-term health care company that operates Claire Bridge centers in Everett and Silverdale. During this job, she and Haworth — who was working at Altera in Tacoma and later as resident care coordinator at Claire Bridge in Silverdale — became good friends.

Zinc also worked at Bay Pointe Retirement Community in Bremerton before her old boss from Colorado, Lee Cory, alerted her of the opportunity in Little Norway.

Cory and business partners John Johnson and Mel Hoelzle were in the planning stages of Montclair Park and Haven Crest at the time but the building that will house 75 independent and assisted living units and anywhere from 26 to 30 dementia units quickly sprang up on Lincoln. In addition to a country store and coffee shop, the center will also include an ice cream parlor, 24-hour staffing, and a fitness center among numerous other amenities.

As a result, selling the “dirt” before the structure was even started wasn’t that difficult, Haworth said.

“I love marketing and meeting face-to-face with the residents,” she explained. “The reception we’ve received has been phenomenal. I have to drive an hour to work each way and I wouldn’t miss a day.”

Work at Montclair Park and Haven Crest is still work but even so, Zinc will be doing whatever she can to ensure the living experience is one of the best senior residents can get.

“It’s a really hard job — not many people last very long in this business,” Zinc said. “I guess the hardest aspect is that we are responsible for people’s lives, their happiness and their quality of life. We want to develop a community- and relationship-oriented business.”