Theresa, 92 years young, met her husband at Loring Air Force Base in Maine, back in 1950. “There was something about Frank,” she says. “We just clicked.”
The couple raised two children together while moving frequently – like many military families – across the U.S and Europe. “We never left any dust under our heels,” Theresa says, recalling the family’s many moves. “We were like gypsies!”
After her husband passed from cancer in 1991 (he served over 30 years in the Air Force), Theresa moved to North Carolina, but suffered through the cold winters. She recalled reading a story about a community for military widows in Florida, and before long, she moved to AFEV. She's lived here for 22 years now.
Forever on the go, Theresa was slowed down a bit by heart surgery in 2016. That’s when she transitioned from independent living at Bob Hope Village to assisted living at Hawthorn House.
Today, along with playing bridge with the other residents, she loves to knit, walk, and read (Westerns are her favorites)!
Theresa’s secret to a long and happy life? “Enjoy every single day,” she says. “Take advantage of anything you can that looks interesting, and you will learn something from it.”
When asked where she's be if not for Air Force Enlisted Village, Theresa replied:
“I can’t even imagine what my life would be like if I wasn’t here. I do know I wouldn’t be nearly as happy as I am now. I tell others to take advantage of everything we have around us!”
Feel inspired by Theresa's story? Please make a gift today HERE. Your kindness will help provide Theresa and our other residents with transportation, health and wellness programs and so much more. Your gift today will also help with the overall well-being of residents, so they may live worry-free at Bob Hope Village or Hawthorn House.
With your help, we’ll make sure Theresa and others here are always treated with dignity and care – the same treatment you would want for your own mom.
