Two pairs of sisters reunited at SJP appreciate retirement life together during the holiday season
From virtual dinners to handwritten Christmas cards, we’re all looking for safe ways to stay connected with each other for the holidays. But for four residents, settling down at St. James Place meant getting to spend the whole season with their sister.
These two pairs of sisters have spent nearly their whole lives away from their counterparts, but after reuniting with each other later in life, they’ve been enjoying retirement together. But they never thought the opportunity to be near family at St. James Place would mean so much.
Knowing they wanted to live in a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), St. James Place was the clear choice for Barbara Biggs, 78, and her husband Dale. They moved into their renovated Beauregard apartment in 2009 and looked forward to releasing the responsibilities of owning and maintaining a house and yard. She never thought about where her sister Doris Roach, 69, might live long-term until after they retired. But with most of her family in the South, Doris frequently visited Barbara at St. James Place, eventually making the move from upstate New York in 2017.
Now, after nearly 60 years of living apart, the two sisters are separated by only a few steps down the hallway. The two see each other almost every day, sometimes in passing and other times for scheduled dates.
Being seven years apart, Barbara Hebert, 89, and Edie Michie, 82, were not really close growing up. Edie settled in Maryland, where she eventually retired, while Barbara spent her time in Gramercy, not far from the sisters’ hometown of Thibodeaux.
They became closer throughout the years, establishing yearly visits to see each other. Upon one visit to Gramercy, Edie and her husband Jim toured St. James Place, delighted by the idea of living near family, and moved to the CCRC in 2016. Barbara frequently visited Edie’s Audubon apartment and experienced the care-free St. James Place lifestyle. After her husband Donald passed away in 2019, Barbara faced loneliness and dependence on her family. But with the support of her children, she joined her sister at St. James Place in her own Beauregard apartment just a few months later in 2020. Now living in neighboring buildings, the sisters have formed an even stronger support system for each other.
HOME AT ST. JAMES PLACE
Although different circumstances brought each of these sisters together again, they have all found their home in St. James Place.
The two pairs agree — living at St. James Place is something akin to being on a cruise ship. “It’s like a continuous vacation,” Barbara B. said. “There’s great food, entertainment and excursions, interesting activities and engaging people.”
Continuing her love of gardening, Edie joined the St. James Place Garden Club upon moving in, and Barbara H. looks forward to joining the Snazzy Singers choir on campus in a post-pandemic world. Following safety precautions earlier in the year, the two met nearly every day in the Butterfly Garden or outside of Market Square for coffee. And they can now safely enjoy Trivia days and Brains and Balances classes together.
Barbara B. and Doris have found they have much in common now that they live together again. They share shopping trips, attend Brains and Balance classes, and they would even arrange to eat breakfast or lunch at St. James Place’s Le Petit Carré restaurant almost every day—though recent health and safety restrictions have limited their meals together to Saturdays at the Biggs’ apartment.
“I was happy to move here while my health allows me to join in on all the activities on campus ,” Doris said. “It has been especially nice to have family living within the St. James Place bubble during the pandemic and upcoming holidays.”
Even with restrictions in place and limited travel options, the warmer, home-like feel on campus is the perfect atmosphere for these sisters to fend off loneliness for the holidays. They agree that having supportive family nearby and being able to celebrate the holidays together is more than they could have dreamed of during these times.
Call us at 225-215-4510 to learn more St. James Place and schedule your free private tour today!