Our Interview with Resident Frances Wobbe
Frances Wilhelm Wobbe was born and grew up in Mascoutah, IL. Growing up on a farm with livestock, crops of wheat, hay and a garden kept the entire family busy. Milking the cows and being a second mother to her younger sister were two of her responsibilities. During the depression, her family always had plenty food to eat.
Frances recalls being a new bride in 1944 living in St. Louis using rations stamps to buy meat, only 2 pairs of shoes were allowed per year, and going without a car for 6 years. With husband Alvin, they were on a waiting list another year to receive delivery of a car. They got a Nash!
Since Frances’ teen years, she has enjoyed quilting, a craft taught to her by her mother. Using comic books, she traced patterns, and then transferred them onto quilts. You might say her specialty was baby quilts. She recalls making 43 in one year!
When John Kennedy campaigned in Belleville, IL. ,she and her co workers left their positions at work and walked to Main Street to catch a glimpse of the future President of the United States.
Her advice for young people just graduating college? Avoid debt! And for those young married couples, “know that you will argue, but work out your problem.”
Frances enjoyed volunteering with Meals on Wheels and her association with St. Augustine’s Lady Sodality, and attending daily Mass.
Frances moved to Dogwood Forest’s assisted living community here in Dunwoody, GA after living in Belleville for more than 50 years to be closer to her family.
We are excited to have Frances in our assisted living community here in Dunwoody, GA, as she is quite the B.I.N.G.O. player; we are all looking forward to learning new variations of the game. Frances has played up to 15 cards at one time!
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Our Interview with Resident Nanalie Warlick
Nanalie Warlick, a resident of Dogwood Forest’s assisted living community in Dunwoody, GA, was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 13, 1920. In grammar school, she moved to Bishopville, S.C. where she later went to Winthrop College and majored in Home Economics.
During World War ll, Nanalie served in the Army WAC’s for two years. Her military career continued when she married her husband Lt. Colonel William Warlick and followed his career to Ft. Bragg, N.C., Japan, and Stuttgart, Germany.
Accomplishments in her life she is most proud of are her marriage, and her 3 sons. Her advice to young people is: Use your education, save your money, and spend it wisely, be honest, and love one another.
So, what brings Nanalie to Dogwood Forest’s assisted living community in Dunwoody, GA? Through a mutual friend, Dogwood Forest of Dunwoody was recommended to Nanalie.
Nanalie has a great sense of humor and, though laughter, lifts the spirits of those lucky to around her.
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Our Interview with Resident Patricia S. Garner
Patricia, a resident of Dogwood Forest’s senior living community in Dunwoody, GA, grew up in Little Rock Arkansas, the oldest of six children. Along came four sisters and number six, a boy! Patricia remembers her mother not allowing anyone on staff at the hospital to tell her father they had a boy so she could share the exciting news.
Memories of childhood included family vacations to the beaches of North Carolina (after all, only Yankee’s went to Florida) and singing in the cathedral of Mt. Saint Mary’s in Little Rock.
During the war, gasoline shortages became a challenge when trying to be sure that family members would be able to return home after a family wedding.
But other wise, Patricia can not recall hardships caused by goods that were rationed.
Patricia would give young college graduates advise to ‘Read”, read everything. Re read the classic’s. And don’t spend a fortune on a big weddings. Use your money for a home, anything of lasting values.
After graduating from nursing school, Patricia married Dr. Garner, a pediatrician, and followed him to Europe after the war. He trained new army doctors.
Their daughter Jeanne was born there. The Garners had 3 girls and one boy.
Patricia was attracted to Dogwood Forest’s senior living community in Dunwoody, GA for the rehab services, the diversity of the community converted her to a long time resident. Patricia so enjoys her assistant Menbrat and considers her her “Best Friend.”
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Our Interview with Resident James Didriksen
Our resident James Bond Didriksen is always a pleasure to spend time with. On one recent occasion, he gave a very interesting overview of his life up to this point. Here are some thoughts he shared.
Although Jim was born in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut. His childhood was filled with operating a player piano, playing the tuba and saxophone. He enjoyed sailing, dancing classes, Spanish classes, and playing Chess.
Jim attended Yale, and graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in Engineering Physics. After working in that field for many years Jim worked with the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History.
Jim and Marina Hedlund were married June 25, 1966. This is truly one of the most memorable events of his adult life. They were married for 43 1/2 years. Marina was a wonderful piano player, and they made beautiful music together.
Jim’s activity in amateur radio continues today, as he is a very active member of the Dunwoody senior living community. He does this in addition to voice, piano, and Spanish lessons, and he is an active member of the New Horizons Band based out of the Dorothy Benson Center in Sandy Springs, GA. Our residents recently enjoyed his concert at the Benson Center.
Historical events Jim recalls in his lifetime, being informed by Larry Saint George that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor, and hearing of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death on the radio. Upon learning of WWll ending, he celebrated by blowing the baritone horn!
Becoming a member of MENSA, and earning a private pilot’s license despite being blind in one eye were high points in his life.
Jim had great advice for couples starting a life together: “Be wary of financial responsibilities of supporting a growing family” and “Reminder, that a family that prays together, stays together.”
Like so many of Jim’s fellow residents here at Dogwood Forest of Dunwoody, having a sister in the area was a great reason to move south, the lower cost of living in Georgia was also an advantage. Assisted living in Dunwoody, GA was a good fit for Jim.
Jim enjoys his new home at Dogwood Forest because it features assisted living in Dunwoody, and the facility encourages residents to manage facets and responsibilities of their own living that are within their own capabilities.
Although Jim feels that new friend are too numerous to list, he enjoys the personal relationships he is developing as well as Happy Hour.
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Welcome to Your New Home!
Dogwood Forest retirement and assisted living homes has enhanced the lives of hundreds men and women. We understand that seniors need a place to relax and enjoy stress-free living every day. Here at Dogwood Forest we have created the perfect living environment. All of our homes and services have been designed to create the perfect atmosphere to promote positive, healthy lifestyles for all of our senior residents.
It is clinically proven that a person’s living environment significantly affects their well-being; with a positive environment promoting happiness and health. Dogwood Forest extends its services to all living situations: retirement, assisted living, post-operative, rehabilitation and respite care. All of these different states of well-being receive the same quality service and treatment. Dogwood Forest services include nutritious meals and snacks, medicine management, wellness and exercise programs, life enrichment activities, socialization and more.
All of our Dogwood Forest locations provide an environment that fosters security, independence, happiness and hope. Be sure to check out all eight of the Dogwood Forest retirement and assisted living homes as each home’s environment is unique. Whether residents choose to reside in an atmosphere of city living or a more secluded, natural area, each Dogwood Forest home provides the highest standards and quality of life.
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