Choosing a Life of Peace, Planning, and Purpose at Sierra Winds
When Pat and Jerry met on a blind date during their freshman year of college in New York, they had no idea the life adventure that would unfold: decades of travel, five sons, military service, and eventually, a shared commitment to aging with intention and grace. Today, six years into their life at Sierra Winds, Pat and Jerry reflect on how planning ahead helped them embrace a lifestyle rooted in stability, connection, and peace of mind.
From College Sweethearts to Global Travelers
Born and raised in St. Paul and St. Louis, respectively (cities connected by what’s known as the “Avenue of the Saints”), Jerry and Pat both left home to attend college in New York, where fate (and a blind date) brought them together. The connection was instant. They married the week of graduation and soon began their journey as a military family.
After training at Fort Benning, Jerry served in field artillery in Nuremberg, Germany, where the couple welcomed their first two sons. From there, Jerry transitioned into military intelligence and the family moved through a series of assignments — Baltimore, Mesa, Fort Huachuca, Virginia and Heidelberg — often navigating relocations with young children in tow. Throughout his 22-year military career, Jerry served in field artillery, transitioned to military intelligence, and eventually taught at the U.S. Army Intelligence Center at Fort Huachuca, helping lead the Army’s shift into the computer age. By the time their fifth son was born in Mesa, they had lived in multiple states and countries, balancing military life with growing a strong, connected family.
Pat carved her own meaningful path through each move, earning an AA degree in physical therapy assistant, a BA degree in special education, and finally, a master’s in social work. She worked with special education students, and eventually found her calling in therapeutic massage, which she still practices today.
Pat and Jerry have certainly had an interesting life. Even through all of the moving, traveling, visiting countries throughout Europe, raising five sons, and having demanding careers, they always found ways to make time for each other and to raise a close-knit family. Their sons grew up with a global perspective, thanks to early experiences traveling across Europe with their schools and even spending a month eurailing with friends during high school.
A Legacy of Purpose and Planning
After Jerry’s 22-year military career, he transitioned to a civilian job in Virginia, and later, the couple settled in Phoenix, where they lived for over two decades before beginning their search for senior living.
“We didn’t want to wait for a crisis to move,” Pat says. “We wanted a lifestyle, not a response to something going wrong.”
The couple spent three years researching their options, visiting communities and carefully comparing services and values. For them, choosing Sierra Winds came down to four key factors: a single-building campus, pre-paid medical care, three levels of health services, and financial security knowing they wouldn’t be asked to leave if they outlived their resources.
“This is our responsibility,” Pat adds. “We cannot ask our kids to figure out, in the middle of a crisis, where we should go. It’s not their job. We wanted to make this decision ourselves — fairly, thoughtfully, and with purpose.”
Now, with their five sons and grandchildren living across the country and abroad, Pat and Jerry connect with their family every two weeks on Zoom to remain connected.
Life at Sierra Winds
Living at Sierra Winds has brought the couple a sense of peace, safety, and genuine community. Pat remains active, offering massage therapy services on campus twice a week and at a local spa once a week. Both Pat and Jerry also participate in Alzheimer’s research through Banner Sun Health Research Institute — a cause close to their hearts. Pat has been part of a Banner/Mayo Clinic longitudinal study since 1999.
“We feel settled here,” Pat says. “There’s no stress about what comes next. We don’t have to move again. That alone brings peace of mind.”
They also enjoy the camaraderie with other residents and participate in card games, social gatherings, and events on campus. They’ve met people from all different backgrounds with so much in common, with surprising connections. It’s a community, not just a place to live.
Aging on Their Terms
Jerry and Pat’s story is a beautiful example of what it means to age intentionally — not with fear or uncertainty, but with planning, wisdom, and optimism. They researched their options, weighed the future, and made a choice that allows them to enjoy life today while preparing for whatever may come.
“We’re grateful we made the move when we did,” Pat says. “We feel settled, secure, supported, and at peace with the path ahead.”