Barbara has deep ties to the Boulder community where she has lived most of her life and is a second-generation Golden West resident. Her mother delivered books to the Golden West residents when she worked for the library and liked the people and community so much she retired there. Barbara followed suit ten years ago when she retired.
After doing clerical work for many years, Barbara made a dramatic career change and went back to school to earn a degree in sign language interpretation. Until she retired she worked for the Boulder County School District, a career she describes as, “a joy.”
It was an easy decision to move into The Towers since her mother had been very happy at Golden West and Barbara was already familiar with everything the community had to offer in terms of amenities and activities. She joined the Resident Council but was taking a break from serving on it when COVID-19 restrictions and the beginning of extensive renovations to the community brought a halt to all in-person activities. When the construction dust finally settled and community activities could resume Barbara put her name in for consideration to serve on the resident council again and was elected.
“I wanted to be a part of the resident leadership team to help get the activities and events going again,” Barbara said.
Barbara is very active in the community. In addition to serving on the Resident CouncilAdvisory Board, which runs the monthly Resident Council meetings to hear residents’ concerns/suggestions and share them with management, she is a floor representative in her building. She also plays in a weekly Scrabble game group, goes out to lunch with her fellow residents monthly, and is deeply involved in all music-centered activities and the drama club.
Since she moved in, there have been a lot of changes at Golden West but what has always remained consistent is the feeling of community and fellowship among the residents. Barbara was pleased to see an Easter potluck lunch and a Chinese delivery dinner organized by residents and is looking forward to more of these kinds of activities.
“I want everyone to know what a great place Golden West is. It is not just apartment buildings. It’s a senior residence community, where we are more than just neighbors, but friends and family to each other,” Barbara said.