Member Stories - Seacoast Village

VILLAGE MEMBER STORIES

Each month, we share the story of one of our members. Past Member Stories can be found in the archive at the bottom of the page.

Jane Page, New Castle

When did you move to the Seacoast and from where?

My husband Sam and I moved to New Castle from Geneva Switzerland in 2005, but kept our chalet in the Sixt Fer a Cheval pin the French Alps until 2016. We were still skiing and hiking.

How did you find yourselves in Geneva?
We were both working in Geneva and retired. Sam from World Health Organization and me from Firmenich Flavor and Fragrances.

Part of the idea of accepting positions in Geneva was to purchase a chalet in the Alps. I came from Vermont and had had a cabin in Vermont. Sam was from South Carolina and had a cabin in Virginia. This was a great “swan song”—a ski lift in five minutes and hikes out the door, mountain goats, ibis, marmots, and waterfalls and rivers to listen to as we slept.

What did you do professionally?

Before retiring, I worked in cancer research and was intrigued with a headhunter who encouraged me to look into Technical Sales, as chemical companies were starting to hire women. I joined Hercules’ flavor & fragrance division as their first female sales rep calling on the food and beverage industry. From there I became a sales manager, technical, sales and marketing VP. I did a stint with Nestle and as President of Bush Boake Allen Canada in Montreal. Sam is a toxicologist and headed a research group at FDA for 30+ years.

How does the Village fit into your long-term plans?

Joining the Village seemed a good way to plan for aging while our faculties were alive and well. The activities are interesting to us, but we are pretty busy and don’t use them as much as we thought due to conflicts with family and social affairs.

I am volunteering at Carey Cottage doing some interviews and computer entry, trying to support the Village.

Life is good right now with health, strength with minimal aches and pains, but for many neighbors and friends, it is a different story. We appreciate where we are in life and hope to continue this stage of life for a long time.

What would you say to a friend considering joining the Village?

I would encourage anyone to join, as it is a way to know more about the people we live around, to take part in activities, and have a chance to volunteer or to ask for support from a volunteer. The social side is so important for us as we age.

Read more member stories by clicking on the names below.