Enriching


Lives, Together


For over fifty years, Betty Smith and Virginia “Ginny” Zimmerman were in the same ladies’ class at their church, but ironically, they didn’t know each other until they both moved to Landis Homes.


G


inny moved in when Harvest View opened in 1995. She had lived in Lancaster her entire life, so she was familiar with Landis Homes. With a love for the outdoors and for


Lancaster County, it was the perfect place for her. She found ways to help others by listening when they needed a friend to talk to or by driving them to doctor appointments.


When Betty took up residency at Landis Homes in 2005, Ginny began driving her to and from church every week. As Betty’s health worsened, Ginny continued visiting her, sometimes just sitting in silence as a companion— “at its most basic, sensitive level of human interaction,” Scott Smith, Betty’s son, shared.


Scott would drive up from Atlanta, Georgia, to visit his mom. He would take Betty and Ginny to church and have lunch with other ladies from the Sunday school class afterward. Tere was a lot of love, laughter, and storytelling during their time together.


Te love and friendship Ginny exhibited toward Betty up until she passed away in 2012 brought Scott and Ginny closer together.


In 2014, after suffering the hard loss of her own son, Ginny and Scott agreed they appreciated the love and warmth of an “adopted” mom and an “adopted” son. While not replacing their loved ones, they continue to maintain a strong bond. Scott makes at least three trips a year from Georgia to visit Ginny at Landis Homes. Tey celebrate birthdays, go shopping, and enjoy each other’s company.


“Four themes that are woven into almost everything Ginny imparts to me are: One, speak your mind, but do it with kindness and respect. Two, don’t be a busybody. Tree, make sure your actions always try to bring order out of chaos. Four, pray about everything and worry about nothing,” Scott said.


Teir relationship is a beautiful example of the love and closeness that develops between family members, residents, and team members at Landis Homes.


Landis.org | FLOURISH | Spring 2020 • 13


“Four themes that are woven into almost everything Ginny imparts to me are: One, speak


your mind, but do it with kindness and


respect. Two, don’t be a busybody. Three, make sure your actions always try to bring order out of chaos. Four, pray


about everything and worry about nothing,” Scott said.


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