Donald and Donna’s story is like many who have made the decision to move to a senior living community. After spending 54 years in their Glendale, West Virginia, home, they knew it was time for a change—to live somewhere with access to assistance if they needed it and closer to their son and his family. And as for most people, it wasn’t easy to leave their long-time home. They visited several communities before deciding to live at Harvest Hill for this time of their lives together.
Donald was an engineer who worked for Colombia Gas out of Wheeling, West Virginia. He is also a Navy veteran who served on a Destroyer in the South Pacific during the Korean War. He appreciates having the White River Junction VA nearby. Donna was a nurse at the Glendale Hospital and worked in Intensive Care and Critical Care for most of her career.
They have been married for 71 years and have a son, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Their son, Kevin, is a doctor in Vermont. Donna shared that when her son was in medical school, he joined a group providing service work in other countries, and she had the opportunity to accompany him on one of his trips. During that month-long mission in 1989, she volunteered alongside Mother Teresa, who also gave them communion during their stay. Donna says it was a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Since moving to Harvest Hill in late summer of 2024, Donald and Donna have grown to really appreciate their new home. They brought furniture from their previous home, helping to make their new space familiar and comfortable. When their nieces came to visit and help them settle in and decorate, they loved it and said they’ll be back in the spring to help with the flowers in the yard.
Donald and Donna were surprised by how genuinely friendly everyone is, from the staff to the other residents. Donna enjoys playing games and listening to piano players that share their talents, and they both can’t say enough good things about the baked goods from the kitchen. Their apartment overlooks the putting green, and as former golfers, that’s a treat on a sunny afternoon. Overall, they say it has been very easy to get adjusted to their new life.
