My mother and her husband loved living at Fox Hill Village so much that, when my wife and I started considering a community for ourselves, there was no question that we would love it here too. We’ve enjoyed the social aspect and how easy it is to gather with friends for a pre-dinner cocktail and dinner. My wife especially loved not having to cook.
Imagine a place where retirement isn’t just a destination, but a vibrant new chapter. Nestled in Westwood, Massachusetts, Fox Hill Village transcends the typical retirement community and is a tribute to the spirit of its residents— a haven where families can find comfort, stimulation, and community. One such family is the Fishers, whose connection with Fox Hill spans decades.
Dr. Alexander Fisher and his wife, Yetta, first moved to Westwood as newlyweds in 1936. A family doctor who made house calls, he served as the town’s physician. Having spent their entire married life in the town which they loved, when it came time to retire, they couldn’t bear the thought of living anywhere else.
Their daughter Judy says, “My father was partly responsible for getting Fox Hill created here.” He was particularly pleased that Mass. General Hospital was going to be involved with health care at the project. He wrote a persuasive letter to the town’s board of selectmen and advocated for the project at a crucial town meeting. His dedication, coupled with the support of his patients who voted in favor, helped turn the vision of Fox Hill into reality. Once it was built, Mrs. Fisher also left her mark, doing historical research and assisting with the naming the wings of the building after prominent families from Westwood and Dedham.
The Fishers were among the very first to sign up to live at Fox Hill and had their choice of apartments. Choosing their Ellis apartment was a joy, particularly for its view of the deep green woods. The Fishers enjoyed the varied dining possibilities and the intellectually engaging activities, as well as appreciating the proximity to Mass General and to their daughter, who lived nearby. And, as Dr. Fisher said, if anything happened to him so that he needed a higher level of care, he wanted Mrs. Fisher to be able to visit him easily.
When the time came that Judy wanted to find a retirement community for herself, she embarked on a search of her own, visiting several other establishments in the area. She chose Fox Hill, not only because of her parents’ great experience here, but also because of its unique welcoming atmosphere and the intellectual stimulation offered by its varied and highly educated population.
Since moving to Fox Hill in 2018, Judy has found her niche volunteering in the library. Her passion for literature comes alive as she recommends books, helps keep things organized, and engages with fellow bibliophiles. For her, Fox Hill is more than a retirement community.
Barbara and Sam Hayes began envisioning life in a continuing care retirement community while still in their 50s. But not everyone in their family was as open to the idea. At age 93 and widowed for 15 years, Barbara’s mother, Emma Lloyd, was still managing independently in her Westerly, Rhode Island home. But with two of Barbara’s siblings living out of state, support for Mrs. Lloyd fell largely to Barbara and Sam. The 1.5-hour drive from their home in Westwood, Massachusetts, to her home in Westerly didn’t make life any easier.
On the day Barbara planned to talk to her mother about moving closer to Westwood, Mrs. Lloyd revealed her own plans for a dining room makeover. Surprised but undaunted, Barbara broached the idea of her mother relocating to Westwood. While hesitant at first, the realization that her independence wouldn’t diminish and that she’d be supported by a more connected family life ultimately eased Mrs. Lloyd’s concerns.
After touring several communities, Mrs. Lloyd decided Fox Hill Village was the best fit. She quickly created a whole new life, enjoying bridge games and elegant dinners with new friends who became a supportive network. She was well-known for making bran muffins for new residents, and thrived at Fox Hill with a sense of engagement and connection, ultimately reaching the age of 105.
Having seen Mrs. Lloyd flourish at Fox Hill, Barbara and Sam decided to follow her lead years before they actually moved in. They had seen firsthand the fruitful and engaged life Barbara’s mother had and wanted the same for their later years. “The people here are fascinating, interesting and gracious — both residents and staff,” says Barbara. “I feel a special kinship with the other second-generation residents who are here now. That’s a unique experience.”
Like her mother before her, Barbara is actively involved in the community as part of the Welcome Committee and the Better Hearing @ Fox Hill Committee. That’s important for this couple, who have a deep affection and connection to music. Sam plays the cello and pipe organ, while Barbara has performed for residents on the community’s Steinway concert grand piano. The couple has also sponsored chamber music students from Boston’s New England Conservatory to perform at Fox Hill Village.
Barbara’s belief in music as a unifying force mirrors the sense of community she and Sam have found at Fox Hill Village, just like Barbara’s mother before her.
Fox Hill’s resident board of directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Bettachi as the board’s new president.
Bob moved to Fox Hill Village in 2022, having previously lived on Nantucket Island and in Lexington, MA. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Bob received his degree in chemical engineering from Villanova University. He then enjoyed a nearly 40-year career at W.R. Grace — a chemicals business — during which he held many roles in sales, marketing, and research and development. Bob led the growth of different divisions through strategic planning, restructuring, eliminating outmoded products, and developing new products. He was serving as senior vice president when he retired in 2006. Following his retirement from W.R. Grace, Bob consulted with private equity and corporate clients, providing pre-acquisition strategy and post-acquisition management coaching.
After his wife, Karen, died in 2017, Bob moved from Lexington to his summer home in Nantucket. He has served on the Boards of St. Francis House in Boston, the Cambridge Trust Company, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Associated Industries of MA. He also has served on the Fox Hill Village Finance and Strategic Planning Committees. The Fox Hill Village Board of Directors is comprised of Fox Hill residents and is solely focused on the needs and preferences of the people who live in our community. We are thrilled to have such a broad pool of talented and experienced residents to serve on our board and committees and look forward to exciting things to come under Bob’s leadership.
Remember the last time you went for a walk in the woods or got your hands dirty gardening? How did it make you feel? Intuitively, we know it’s good for us. Research studies also confirm that spending time in nature positively affects our physical, emotional and cognitive well-being.
Nature improves cognitive function.
As far back as the 1970s, a U.S. Forest Service study suggested that contact with nature can help us recover from mental fatigue and restore attention. If you’re feeling the mind-numbing effects of digital overload — that constant stream of news, ads and people clamoring for attention — put down your iPad and go for a walk in the park.
Henry David Thoreau was famous for his daily walks. In a speech at Thoreau’s funeral, Ralph Waldo Emerson described how the length of Thoreau’s walk reflected the length of his writing. If shut up in the house, he didn’t write at all. Einstein was another devoted walker. He used to take daily walks in the woods on the Princeton campus and his cognitive function was among the best of anyone who ever lived.
Since the original Forest Service study, researchers have found that a “nature break” also helps restore the brain’s ability to process information. In a 2008 study in Ann Arbor, Michigan, participants were given a tough memory test, then assigned to take a 50-minute walk through either the Ann Arbor Arboretum or downtown Ann Arbor. When the participants returned to the lab and took the test again, the arboretum group scored significantly higher. So, if you’re struggling to stay focused on a task or simply stuck on a crossword, head outside. The fresh air and sunshine may be all you need to solve what’s puzzling you.
Nature reduces stress and boosts immunity.
In the 1980s, the technological revolution was in full swing in Japan. While the adoption of robotics and semiconductors energized the economy, it left Japanese workers stressed and burned out. Not surprisingly, the concept of “forest bathing” emerged in Japan at the same time. The Japanese government began encouraging shinrin-roku — taking in the forest air — to help workers de-stress.
A study of 260 people at 24 sites across Japan found that people who gazed on forest scenery for 20 minutes experienced a 13.4 percent reduction in salivary cortisol, a stress hormone, compared to people in urban settings. And physically getting out in nature works even better to lower stress and boost immunity.
Plants emit airborne chemicals called phytoncides to protect them from rotting and insects. Interestingly, these chemicals also help protect humans by lowering cortisol, pulse rate and blood pressure. In fact, studies suggest these chemicals help fight viruses and cancer by increasing the number and activity of immune cells called natural killer (NK) cells. In a 2007 study in Japan, men who took two-hour walks in a forest over two days had a 50 percent spike in levels of NK cells
But don’t feel like you have to go for a two-hour walk in the woods to benefit from nature. Consider joining an outdoor exercise class. Play golf. Or grab a book and find a shady tree to sit under. Any time spent outdoors where you have access to green space is good for your health.
Nature nurtures well-being in the garden.
Scientists have long known that a little dirt can be good for you. In the 1970s, scientists identified mycobacterium vaccae, a bacterium in garden soil that has an anti-inflammatory effect on our brains, lowering stress and improving immune response. It may explain why people who grow up on farms have lower rates of Crohn’s disease, asthma and allergies.
Gardening also exposes your body to sunlight, which benefits your immune system, helps build strong bones and improves quality of sleep. Gardening may even lower your risk of dementia. A 16-year study of older adults in Australia showed that daily gardening reduced the risk of developing dementia by 36 percent.
See how our garden grows.
The resident gardens at Fox Hill Village are a great place to dig in the dirt and lift your mood. Raised beds make gardening easier and fellow gardeners are happy to help if needed. Colorful flowers, fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables are nourishment for body and soul.
Get into outdoor living at Fox Hill Village.
Getting into nature is as easy as stepping outside at Fox Hill Village. Our 110-acre campus includes paved walking paths that immerse you in serene woodlands and landscaped gardens — ideal for walks with your two- and four-legged friends. For longer hikes, you can explore the adjacent Lowell Woods Trail that takes you into a protected forest. It’s great for birdwatching or a rejuvenating “forest bath.”
When the weather’s nice, we also enjoy gathering on our patio for barbecues or an al fresco lunch. Fresh air, beautiful scenery and good company never fail to enhance the experience.
To learn more about outdoor living at Fox Hill Village, visit the outdoor living page on this website. Better yet, schedule a personal tour and see for yourself. Simply call us at 781.329.4433 or use our contact form.
When Fox Hill resident Sarah Pasternack walked into what she thought was a small gathering to recognize National Nurses Week, she was surprised to see nearly 30 former colleagues and dear friends. The group had gathered to inform Sarah that she was being recognized for an accomplished career in nursing with the addition of her name to the Wall of Honour at the Florence Nightingale Museum in London.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “In my wildest dreams, I could not imagine having my name up there. It is the highest honor of my entire nursing career!” Sarah becomes only the fourth Boston nurse to be named to the Wall of Honour. Connie Crowley Ganser, Sarah’s colleague and initiator of the nomination, presented slides featuring the Florence Nightingale Museum’sWall of Honour and the sash bearing Sarah’s name.
Like many members of her profession, Sarah knew she wanted to be a nurse from an early age. She admired an older cousin attending nursing school and loved the white cap she wore. By age 14, Sarah was already volunteering at a local hospital in New Jersey. After graduating from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing, she started practicing as a nurse but quickly recognized there was more she wanted to learn. She returned to school to earn her bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s degree in parent-child nursing.
For the next 10 years, Sarah put her education to use as an assistant professor at Boston University School of Nursing, while still practicing part-time. She went on to become an assistant clinical professor at Simmons University, head nurse of the Adolescent/Young Adult unit at Boston Children’s Hospital and director of nursing/patient services at Children’s Hospital.
While focused on supporting the professional development of nurses, Sarah never hesitated to fill in when her unit was short-staffed. Her willingness to be both a top-level leader and hands-on caregiver in the trenches endeared her to staff and parents of children receiving care at Children’s Hospital.
Ostensibly retired from nursing in 2010, Sarah continued to stay involved, serving as president (1999-2022) of the Nursing Archives Associates, Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at BU, and as community representative on the Institutional Review Board at Curry College.
In 2019, she moved from her spacious home in Stoughton to Fox Hill Village, where she’s part of the proud FHV “Legacy” generation, as her mother lived here before her. We congratulate Sarah on receiving this prestigious honor and for her inspiring career dedicated to healing, teaching and leading by example. After a lifetime of service, you deserve some TLC from the caring team at Fox Hill Village.
