DIRECTIONS
Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) resident RoseMary Hopp and her late husband, Tom, took up skiing as young parents. RoseMary recalls how the Detroit Free Press offered free lessons and use of ski equipment, so they decided to try it. They became hooked!
The couple and their five children all learned to ski – both downhill and cross country. Tom, a dentist in Mason, Michigan, even joined the National Ski Patrol! “We loved being outdoors and it was a fun activity for our family,” says RoseMary. Their home in Mason sat on 30 acres with a pond and lots of pine trees. Tom cleared trails so their family could cross country ski around their home. “It was a wonderful place to live.”
The family enjoyed many ski trips to northern Michigan as well as in the mountains of Colorado. In retirement, Tom and RoseMary participated in the Friendship Force of Greater Lansing, a foreign exchange program for adults. As part of their visits to Europe, they also had the opportunity to ski in the Alps. She only recently gave up downhill skiing when her granddaughter who accompanied her became pregnant and could no longer go with her.
Tom and RoseMary lived in Mason for 52 years before moving to Silver Maples of Chelsea to be nearer one of their sons. After Tom passed away last October from complications of Alzheimer’s disease, RoseMary decided she needed a change and moved to CRC, although she continues to sing in the Silver Maples choir.
RoseMary enjoys being active, including ice skating, swimming, and bicycling. At CRC, RoseMary says she takes advantage of all the exercise activities available, including chair volleyball. She also enjoys the Life Enrichment trips and playing bridge. She says she is looking forward to the coming McMullen Wellness Center with its pool and hot tub as well.
While others may grumble about the snow and cold, RoseMary says, “I love it!” Today, at age 85, RoseMary can be seen on her cross country skis exploring her new home at CRC. “Skiing releases tension,” explains RoseMary. “I enjoy the fresh air, and I feel good and energized when I’m done.”
“I feel very comfortable on skis,” continues this retired medical transcriptionist. “Today (January 17, 2018), the snow was just perfect [for cross country skiing] and looked like thousands of diamonds sparkling in the sunshine.”
RoseMary is grateful for her family, her health, and her home at CRC. “There is so much to be thankful for.”
To learn more about Chelsea Retirement Community, Silver Maples of Chelsea, or any of United Methodist Retirement Communities’ locations, visit umrc communities.