A Century of Stories: Meet Eugenia “Jeanie” Lovett West, Essex Meadows’ Celebrated Author

At 102 years young, Eugenia “Jeanie” Lovett West isn’t slowing down. The accomplished novelist and 20-year resident of Essex Meadows is putting the finishing touches on her latest work, Lovers and Spies, a Revolutionary War thriller she hopes to release in spring 2026. For Jeanie, age is simply a number—creativity knows no boundaries.

“I just like to write. I like to create,” Jeanie explains with characteristic warmth. “I think any person with a creative instinct wants to produce something.”

From 300 Words to 300 Pages

Jeanie’s path to becoming a published author began with journalism. After her youngest child started school full time, she took a position with New Jersey newspapers—an experience that proved invaluable. “It was great training because you learn to cut the adverbs and adjectives,” she recalls.

But the confines of news writing eventually felt too small. “I got tired of 300 words about the sewage meeting on Tuesday night,” she says with a laugh. “So I thought, well, why not try 300 pages?”

Her first attempt, she admits candidly, “was trash.” But her second novel—a historical work set in Jamaica—caught the attention of Doubleday, launching a writing career that has spanned decades.

The Emma Streat Mysteries

Three of Jeanie’s novels follow the same compelling protagonist through a world of international intrigue. Emma Streat, the heroine of Without Warning (2007), Overkill (2009), and Firewall (2019), became more than just a character. “She’s almost as close as a daughter to me,” Jeanie reflects.

These thrillers wove complex subplots involving dangerous viral threats, weapons, and global conspiracies. Looking back, Jeanie marvels at the scope of her own work. “Once in a while, I look back and I think, “How the heck did I ever do all of that?”

The answer lies partly in necessity and determination. With four children and a busy, successful husband, Jeanie simply “had to fit the writing in.” She never built the traditional fan base that many authors cultivate—”which is fatal for most writers,” she acknowledges—but she found something more valuable: the pure joy of storytelling.

A Revolutionary Pivot

Several years ago, Jeanie discovered a new passion: the American Revolution. The spark came from reading about Sir William Howe’s extravagant farewell party during the British occupation of Philadelphia—an event called the Meschianza that cost £10,000 and featured tournaments, elaborate dinners, and stunning pageantry.

“I had no idea there was that much elegance,” she says, still captivated by the discovery.

This fascination led to Sarah’s War (2019) and now Lovers and Spies, both set during America’s founding era. Jeanie has worked to make the Revolutionary War relevant to contemporary readers, exploring “the dangers to forming a democracy and what the Founding Fathers went through to create this country. So there’s a lot of relevance to today.”

The Art of Escape

Throughout her career, Jeanie has remained committed to a particular vision of what fiction should offer. “I feel there’s a great need for escape reading,” she explains. “So many people just need to pick up a book and get away from whatever is happening to them in life and just lose themselves. And finish with a sense that they’ve kind of refreshed themselves.”

It’s a philosophy that has guided her work across genres—whether writing mysteries or historical fiction, her goal remains the same: to transport readers somewhere else, even if just for a few hours.

Finding Home at Essex Meadows

Jeanie’s journey to Essex Meadows began naturally. After more than 20 years living in nearby Lyme, Connecticut, just across the river from Essex, she already knew many people in the community. Following her husband’s death, she made the decision to move—a choice motivated by both practical and emotional needs.

“I wanted to give up a big house,” she explains. “So many people want the security of knowing that you will be cared for, you know, with extended care, and looked after by a caring staff.”

Twenty years later, that decision stands as “one of the best I ever made.”

What makes Essex Meadows special, in Jeanie’s view, is its ability to balance community with individual freedom. “It’s small enough to develop a sense of community,” she notes. The result is “a very friendly place” populated by “interesting people who are very kind and caring.”

But what truly distinguishes Essex Meadows, she emphasizes, is the staff. “I’ve lived here 20 years, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard a cross word spoken to a resident. Believe me, there’s been plenty of opportunity,” she adds with characteristic humor. “The staff is really one of the most outstanding things about Essex Meadows.”

“I think it helps enormously that you’re freed up from a lot of cooking and household chores and maintenance of your property,” she explains. “It provides you with a lot of time to do the things you want to do, that you prefer to do.”

The community’s culture supports this independence. Weekly programs offer everything from exercise classes at all ability levels to lectures, concerts, and fine dining. But there’s no pressure to participate in everything—or anything.

“I think you can emphasize the fact that there’s something here for everyone,” Jeanie says. “You have choices. Some people can fill their days doing activities all day long. But if you need to create—there are painters here and writers—that lifestyle is respected. You don’t have to be social. You can be as social as you want and still be a part of Essex Meadows.”

This freedom is what allows Jeanie to wake up each morning ready to write. While the community is supportive—”even people I don’t know will pass in the hall and say, ‘How’s the book coming?’ “—she works independently, letting the creative process unfold at its own pace.

Words to Live By

Jeanie’s advice is refreshingly simple, whether you’re considering a move to Essex Meadows or simply trying to live a meaningful life: “Try to live each day as best you can. Kindness is everything. And do your best.”

It’s wisdom earned through more than a century of living—and still creating, still writing, still contributing to the vibrant community she calls home.

For anyone wondering whether it’s possible to continue pursuing passions well into later life, Jeanie Lovett West stands as living proof. At Essex Meadows, she’s found the perfect environment to do what she loves most: tell stories that transport, inspire, and refresh the reader.

And at 102, she’s not done yet! Contact us today to learn more about Essex Meadows and schedule a visit.