Still Home: Dick and Lois’ Next Chapter
Dick and Lois S. weren’t looking to leave the community they loved. They were simply looking for a way to continue enjoying it for years to come.
For more than 40 years, they have been woven into the fabric of New Canaan, CT. They raised two daughters, built lifelong friendships and embraced the traditions that make the town feel like home—from watching Fourth of July fireworks at Waveny and marching in the Memorial Day parade to, of course, the Kiwanis Club’s fabulous Lobster Fest.
“New Canaan has been a wonderful place to live,” Dick reflects. “Our girls went through the public school system, we’ve made many friends and we’ve gotten involved in a lot of community activities.”
Staying Active and Engaged in Their Community
After retiring from a 35-year advertising career commuting by train into New York City, Lois devoted even more time to the community she loved. She served on the board of Staying Put New Canaan for 13 years, supporting its mission to help older adults remain independent and connected to the community they call home. She also continues her longtime involvement with New Canaan Chamber Music, reflecting her passion for the arts and lifelong learning.
Dick, a lifelong entrepreneur in healthcare innovation and biotechnology, built and led companies while always keeping New Canaan as home base. Today, he continues that commitment as executive director of the Institute for Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing treatments for people living with chronic traumatic brain injury.
Together, Dick and Lois have always believed in giving back, strengthening the organizations that enrich the town and investing in the community that has given them so much over the years.
Planning for the Future: Finding a Retirement Community Near New Canaan
When it came time to plan for the future and their retirement, Dick and Lois weren’t looking to leave New Canaan. They were looking for a way to continue enjoying the life they loved while preparing thoughtfully for whatever the future might bring.
Their search led them to Meadow Ridge, a continuing care retirement community in nearby Redding, just 25 minutes from New Canaan. After exploring several options, Meadow Ridge stood apart. The expansive hilltop campus, welcoming residents and the security of Lifecare—a plan that provides a continuum of care on one campus should health needs change—all impressed them. Most of all, they found a community filled with people whose interests, backgrounds and curiosity reminded them of the town they had long called home.
“In the end, you’re joining a community of people,” Dick says. “That’s what really mattered to us.”
The Best of Both Worlds: Life at Meadow Ridge
Living just a short drive away means Dick and Lois can continue attending St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, enjoying New Canaan Chamber Music performances, meeting friends for lunch and keeping the physicians they’ve trusted for years while embracing new friendships and opportunities at Meadow Ridge.
For Dick and Lois, this isn’t a goodbye to New Canaan. It’s the next chapter of a life centered on community—remaining connected to the town they love while becoming part of another vibrant community just down the road.