A retired senior solutions manager for FedEx who worked in supply chain management for 30 years, Lia Douglas knows a thing or two about logistics.
Lia’s 30-year career with FedEx took her from her Italian roots to Florida, Arlington Heights, and, most recently, Deer Park, where her late husband, Mark, pursued his interest in painting and where Lia cultivated many northwest suburb-based interests.
Mark’s diagnosis of terminal cancer at a young age forced the couple to plan for a future where Lia would have access to support systems.
“We were familiar with The Garlands because my mother-in-law had lived here, plus, geographically, it was in the middle of all my northwest corridor activities,” recalls Lia. “Although, I didn’t need all the services now, I figured, ‘why move again later?’”
Planning for the Future
Lia and Mark joined The Garlands Club priority wait list, and, after Mark passed away, Lia sold their house in less than a month. Ironically, within fifteen minutes of closing on the sale, a Garlands residency counselor called with news of the availability of the perfect Garlands home.
“I hung up the phone and moved to The Garlands!” recalls Lia.
Since then, Lia has met many new friends and neighbors while navigating her new Garlands lifestyle and honoring the prior. “I’ve always liked to be super busy, and this new burst of Garland-related energy has been therapeutic,” says a content Lia.
We’ll Leave the Light on for You
“The people I’ve met at The Garlands are wonderful,” she reports. “I found a community of people who motivate and encourage me with their friendly ‘Hellos’ and ‘Happy to see yous.’”
Raised in a small village in Italy, where her parents grew up across the piazza from each other, Lia says, “The Garlands feels like a small village where everyone looks out for each other . . . however, you still have your privacy.”
One of her new friends, an across-the-way neighbor, can see Lia’s window from her patio. “She tells me, ‘I can see that your lights are on, and I know you are home safe, so I can go to sleep.’”
Says a content Lia, “I find it very sweet and neighborly, just like being back at home in our small Italian Village.”
A Day in a Life at The Garlands
Teaching Conversational Italian
Lia teaches conversational Italian classes at The Garlands. “If, by the end of the course, they can pronounce items on an Italian menu correctly, I’ve achieved my objective!”
Water Aerobics
Lia says that aqua aerobics is effective for both cardio and strength training, and that “there is something both energizing and soothing about being in the water.”
Art Class
Lia hadn’t painted since middle school, but says, “My art friends think my late husband is channeling his artistic talent to me!”
Day Tripping
“It’s just so convenient to hop on The Garlands bus and explore new places with friends.”
Zip-lining
With gentle encouragement from her new friends to try zip-lining, Lia said, “Yeah, I’ll do it — just hold my purse!” Off she went!
