Real Life Stories: Westerleigh PARC, Dorothy

Resident profile

Resident name: Dorothy
Moved from: Toronto, ON
Past occupation: Teacher
Number of years at Westerleigh PARC: 2
Life philosophy: “Be kind to everybody and treat them the way you want to be treated.”
Favourite travel escape: Sanibel Island, Florida

Westerleigh PARC resident, Dorothy has made quite the home for herself out on the West Coast. When decorating her suite at the Westerleigh, Dorothy drew inspiration from the ocean views outside her balcony, as well as from her many travels to various tropical locales – her favourite being Sanibel Island, Florida. Treasured little trinkets collected from trips abroad can be found throughout her suite, decorated in a wash of bright blues and greens that mimic the ocean hues and reflect a tranquil, tropical escape.

Dorothy moved to the Westerleigh two years ago from Toronto, and while the move was expectedly emotional, she quickly acclimatised to the West Coast’s kinder and milder temperatures while making new friends and establishing a home in a new community.

Dorothy admits it was a bit challenging at first to fit in as an East Coast transplant, but her teaching experience and years of working in the US taught her how to connect with new people. Dorothy’s advice? “Pick the people that you enjoy being with and share the same interests with. You just have to listen and join in.”

When she’s not out with newfound friends, Dorothy is routinely out and about exploring everything that her convenient seaside neighbourhood has to offer. With Westerleigh PARC’s close proximity to the West Vancouver Seawalk Trail, public library and seniors centre, there’s plenty to do and every opportunity to enjoy the beautiful West Coast views.

See how Dorothy spends a typical day in and around Westerleigh PARC.

A day in the life of Dorothy

“I’m a morning person. I’m up at 7 and I usually grab the Globe and Mail from the desk. I have a very pleasant breakfast with some good coffee.”

“I love going outside, so I go out and walk. I love the area. I think it’s just one of the nicest places I’ve ever seen. I can walk down to the seawall.”

“The library is a block away and I love to read. I go down to the library usually every Monday and get a couple week’s worth of books. And they have good programs and speakers, too – doctors, specialists and internet people.”

“I play piano and there’s a lovely little private room that you can go in, close the door and play. So, I do that a lot.”