Don and Vivian Doolittle are originally from Bergen County, New Jersey, and had retired to Charleston, South Carolina. And though they loved their home there, its location was a 13-hour drive from their family, who live in New Jersey, Maryland, and Lancaster.
Their son, who is a financial planner, suggested his parents look into Willow Valley Communities. He liked the financial security of Lifecare, and he also thought Lancaster’s central location would make it a lot easier for their family. The Doolittles, who moved to Willow Valley Communities in the fall of 2018, are discovering that their son was right. The extended Doolittle family is spending more time together and having a lot of fun.
There are three grown Doolittle children: two sons, Don Jr. and Douglas, and a daughter, Jennifer. Six grandchildren range in age from 5 to 22 years old. Even with that large span of ages, they all enjoy visits to their grandparents’ and always have plenty to do at Willow Valley Communities and in the Lancaster area.
The Doolittles are thrilled with this way of life. Vivian recalls a particularly special day when the family met for their first summer “Doolittle Gathering” at their new home at Willow Valley Communities. They swam and had lunch at the outdoor Clubhouse pool and then had a competitive pickleball match. For dinner they barbecued at Chautauqua Hall, and then had dessert at the Doolittles’ residence. Afterwards, they went back to The Clubhouse for bowling for the evening. It was a wonderful, full family day, and no one was bored!
“At Willow Valley Communities there’s the whole mix for the entire family. I’m amazed at the wonder of it all,” Vivian remarked. “I can’t wait for the younger grandchildren to turn seven years old so that they are old enough to attend Camp Willow Day Camp.”
The Doolittle family also enjoys activities in the greater Lancaster community. The younger children have visited local attractions, and Vivian recently enjoyed wedding gown shopping with her newly engaged granddaughter, Megan.
“There’s so much to do in downtown Lancaster,” Vivian said.
“There’s so much spark and life.”
“That’s why we are overjoyed to live here,” she added. “Other communities that we looked at don’t offer what we have at Willow Valley Communities — including Lifecare. Our children won’t have to take care of us; we are so happy to be able to do this for them.”
