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.
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.
When Sherla Alberola moved to Fox Hill Village in late September 2024, she brought with her a lifetime of stories — and a surprising talent for moving. In fact, this artist and entrepreneur has moved 62 times in her life. That’s not just relocation — it’s a world-class tour of resilience, reinvention, and relentless curiosity.
Sherla’s journey began in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The daughter of a Budweiser truck driver, Sherla came from humble beginnings — but she never let that define her. The first in her family to attend college, she took a bold leap shortly after graduation in the form of a one-way ticket to Europe on a converted warship sailing from Quebec to Rotterdam. Her only plan? Visit the Brussels World’s Fair. What followed was a life of extraordinary twists.
A job hunt led her to Germany, where she landed a teaching role at Berlitz, the global language school. It was there she met the man who would become her husband — despite the small detail that he didn’t speak English. Nine months later, they were married in London. After a year in Algeria waiting on a visa, the couple eventually settled in Detroit and returned to working for Berlitz. That marked the beginning of decades spent on the move with two children in tow and frequent transfers as her husband rose to become President and CEO of Berlitz Worldwide. But that was only Act One.
As technology evolved, Sherla and her husband saw an opportunity to revolutionize language education. They left Berlitz and launched their own company — first called Linguatec, later renamed Bridge. Sherla was the creative engine, developing curriculum, writing textbooks, and training teachers in the Direct Method. Based in Denver, their reach extended across Latin America. For years, they spent winters in Brazil, working marathon hours from dawn until late into the night.
Sherla didn’t love business, but she proved she could lead when she had to. “I found out I could do things I didn’t know I could do,” she says. That quiet strength would serve her well later in life, especially when her husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. They eventually relocated to a continuing care retirement community in California, but life still had more chapters to write.
Sherla’s soul has always been that of an artist. Whether in Salida, Colorado — an artists’ enclave north of Santa Fe — or in Princeton, NJ, where she first found success, Sherla has expressed herself through pastels, watercolors, collage, and mixed media. Her apartment at Fox Hill Village is a curated gallery of her own vibrant works, alongside pieces from other artists she admires. Creativity continues to be her deepest source of satisfaction.
These days, Sherla also finds joy in writing her memoir, diving into genealogy, and playing her grand piano. And if the activity team at Fox Hill has their way, the community will host a gallery showing of her incredible artwork right here on campus.
So how did this globe-trotting linguist and artist end up in Westwood, Massachusetts? Like many residents, Sherla followed family ties. Her daughter’s mother-in-law, Dianne Russell, moved to Fox Hill Village in 2022. The whole family was so impressed by the care and community that they encouraged Sherla to join. She says it’s been one of her best moves yet — no small praise from someone who’s made 62 of them.
“Fox Hill Village is truly the best,” she says. “The people here make a conscious effort to include everyone. And yes, the food and entertainment are a big plus, too!”
With her warmth, wisdom, and creative spirit, Sherla has become part of what makes this community so special. And while she may have left behind many addresses over the years, it’s clear she’s finally found home.
I want to share something personal with you—a story of change, commitment, and quiet triumph.
Just over a year ago, I moved into Fox Hill Village with a clear goal: to prioritize my health and regain strength. Almost immediately, I began working with Stephanie, one of the phenomenal trainers here, twice a week. On top of that, I added my own independent workouts three times a week. It became more than a routine—it became a lifestyle.
But to understand why this mattered so much, let me take you back.
Four months before my move, I was attending a beautiful wedding weekend at a quaint bed-and-breakfast. One afternoon, as I settled in for a nap, I heard a knock—housekeeping. In my hurry to answer, I tripped over an area rug. I ended up on the floor, unable to get up on my own. No injuries, thankfully—just bruised pride and a sobering realization: I needed to get stronger. That fall wasn’t just a fluke. It was a wake-up call.
So when I arrived at Fox Hill Village, I was determined to change that narrative.
Fast forward to this past Sunday. I spotted two hefty Amazon packages outside my door—just as I was getting ready for bed. They were heavy, no doubt about it, but I was feeling confident. I bent down to lift the first one and took a step forward… and lost my balance.
I fell. Again.
But this time was different.
I got up. By myself. Easily.
In that moment, I realized how far I’ve come. A year ago, I needed help. Today, I am stronger—physically and mentally—because of the consistent guidance, motivation, and support from Stephanie and the entire fitness team at FHV.
I still have goals ahead, but I’m already living proof of what’s possible with the right people by your side.
Thank you, Stephanie. Thank you, FOXHILL360. You’ve helped me stand taller—literally and figuratively.
– Lucy
Are you ready to become a Fitness Warrior? The FOXHILL360 team is here to coach you—one muscle, one step, one victory at a time.
