Most people find comfort in holiday traditions. Whether it’s building a gingerbread house, singing Christmas carols or eating a slice of grandma’s famous pie, there is something special about sharing it with loved ones year after year. Peggy Brown, 85, has a few traditions of her own. She hosts Christmas Eve dinner each year for her family, during which she makes turkey, ham, all the sides you can imagine, and pecan pie. She also attends church, and they unwrap presents. It’s something she looks forward to each year, but this year she’ll be bringing her traditions to her new home at Waltonwood Lake Boone (a premier senior living community). It’s the first holiday at the senior living community (which recently opened its doors) and the first time Brown hasn’t hosted Christmas Eve in her longtime home. The Raleigh native says it’s a sentimental feeling, but she is happy to start new traditions at the senior living community.

“Christmas is my favorite holiday,” said Brown. “It’s something I look forward to each year. I love cooking and spending quality time with my family. This year is a little different. I decided it was time to move to a senior living community and leave my home of 65 years. It was a hard decision, but it was the right one. My family is coming to my new home, and I have something special in store for them. I may not be in my kitchen cooking anymore, but it’s time to make new traditions at Waltonwood Lake Boone.”

Brown will host her family at the senior living community on Christmas Eve. Two of her children and grandchildren will join her for a chef-prepared meal in the private dining room. After the meal, they will indulge in dessert (including her famous pecan pie) in Brown’s apartment, as well as unwrap presents. Brown is thankful to spend the holidays with her family.

“I am pleased that Waltonwood Lake Boone has a private dining option so that I can host my family at the community for Christmas Eve,” said Brown. “We can all still be together for the holidays, and that is a special feeling. Even though I am not cooking, I know we are in good hands with the hospitality team at the community. I know my family is excited to join me for the holidays and experience my new home with me. I am looking forward to having the pecan pie the most. It is a special recipe that was passed down from my great-grandmother, and it’s always a hit with the family. It’s a joyous occasion, and having my loved ones here will make any worries I had go away.”

“Peggy was the very first resident of Waltonwood Lake Boone, and we are thrilled she will celebrate Christmas Eve here with her family,” said Allison O’Shea, executive director of Waltonwood Lake Boone. “We tell residents their lifestyle and traditions don’t have to change just because they move to a senior living community, and Peggy proves that. We love how she’s incorporating her holiday traditions in our community as she makes new traditions in her new home. We may need to sneak up to her apartment for a slice of pecan pie. We want all residents to enjoy the holidays, and we do all we can to ensure that.”