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Bernie and Jennie Goldberger: Happier Here™ at V!VA Thornhill Woods Retirement Community
B ernie and Jennie Goldberger are two of many happy Com- munity Members at V!VA Thornhill Woods Retirement Community. Bernie, a Bergen-Belsen survivor, moved to Canada with dreams of beginning anew. His successful career as a ladies’ coat manufacturer and real estate developer didn’t stop until his retirement. His wife Jennie, who was by his side all those years devoted her life as a homemaker and parent to their three chil- dren, five grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. The couple have been married for 70 years, and remain just as inseparable today in their spacious 1-Bedroom + Den Suite. They can often be seen together holding hands, wearing matching outfits and beaming jubilant smiles. The two were kind enough to share more about why they choose to make V!VA Thornhill Woods Retirement Community their home - because they are Happier Here™. Jennie recounts the day she decided that she would retire along with her husband: “I was done with cooking and housework and told Bernie I wanted to retire too! I said ‘I’m ready to move even if you aren’t!’” Bernie reluctantly agreed and after going to see other retirement homes they knew V!VA Thornhill Woods was their first choice. Since moving in, Jennie is finally done with cooking and house- work, and Bernie agrees “There are less things to worry about.” Where there is less to worry about, there is more to enjoy. Both Bernie and Jennie make full use of all the amazing amenities, events and programs that V!VA Thornhill Woods offers, noting that their social life is more vibrant than ever. In addition to tradi- tional cultural events, V!VA Thornhill Woods features a full activ- ity program for the mind, and the body. “We enjoy the concerts – especially the monthly Yiddish Café concerts – and art classes. The fitness activities like swimming and other exercise programs are great for mind and body, too.” With her new-found free time, Jennie has since become the unofficial photographer of the Community, taking photos of her fellow Community Members and gifting them printed copies. “Well, having other Community Members to talk to and relate to is crucial.” The food was an important part of the decision to move in. V!VA Thornhill Woods serves the high quality of food that V!VA com- munities are renowned for, notes Community Relations Man- ager Wendy Teperman, and with traditional Jewish-style food prepared by a Red-Seal Chef. Pork and Shellfish are not served, meat and dairy are kept separate, and all meat is sourced from kosher butchers. “The food is quite good,” the couple share “and the servers are outstanding.”
That resounding acclaim extends to every Team Member at V!VA Thornhill Woods. “Having on-site doctors and nurses readily available is priceless and so convenient. The care from not just the Wellness Team, but from all of the Team Members is exceptional, and very heartwarming.” V!VA Thornhill Woods has 134 suites varying from studios and one-bedrooms to one-bedroom with den and two-bedrooms with 2 bathrooms. Care levels range from independent to assisted liv- ing, with the 28 assisted-living suites on a dedicated floor with its own dining room. All levels of care include three meals a day plus snacks and weekly housekeeping. But, emphasizes Teperman, V!VA Thornhill Woods “is not just bricks and mortar, amenities, or suites. It’s the people who live and work here coming together with open arms and hearts.” Bernie, reflecting on his initial reluc- tance to move into a retirement community, offers a simple piece of advice to anyone thinking about doing the same, even if they are hesitant: “Do it! It was the right decision at the right time!” All V!VA communities are pet friendly, have health professionals on site and offer respite and trial stays. The Canadian owned and operated chain has eight locations in Ontario. V!VA Thornhill Woods Retirement Community is located at 9700 Bathurst St. in Vaughan. For more information, visit www.vivathornhillwoods.ca or call Wendy Teperman at 905-417-8585.
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