Exploring the World Together
Showing that staying active and engaged has no age limit, Marilee and Walt Gilliland, both 82, aren’t slowing down. The residents of independent living at Heritage Pointe of Fort Wayne senior living community recently returned from a 17-day trip to Australia, just in time to resume their volunteer work tutoring students and promoting peace in their community.
The couple, who have lived at Heritage Pointe for eight years, used part of their summer to visit Walt’s sister in Australia, where she has lived since the late 1960s. Their trip included adventures such as exploring the Great Barrier Reef by mini-sub, taking a train ride through a tropical forest, and visiting Alice Springs in Australia’s Northern Territory to see Uluru, the massive sandstone monolith sacred to the Aboriginal people.
“It rises 1,450 feet out of a desert plain. It’s quite stunning, especially when the sunlight is on it,” Walt says.
Staying in another part of the country near Perth, they were awakened by the sight of kangaroos and kookaburra birds, known for their laughing call. When they returned to Heritage Pointe, the Gillilands shared their experiences by presenting a travelogue for fellow residents eager to hear about their journey.
Giving Back Through Education
Now that summer is fading, the Gillilands are preparing for another year of volunteering as tutors for Study Connection, a program offered by Fort Wayne Community Schools. The initiative pairs volunteers with elementary students who need extra academic support through one-on-one weekly tutoring sessions.
The Gillilands have been part of the program for eight years and are passionate about helping young learners succeed.
“It’s about figuring out where they are weak academically and then finding interesting and fun ways to get them to work hard on improving it,” Marilee says.
Marilee enjoys working with fourth and fifth graders, while Walt prefers the enthusiasm of first and second graders.
Promoting Peace and Connection
Beyond their work in education, the Gillilands also volunteer with Alive Community Outreach, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to fostering a culture of nonviolence through education and community engagement.
“They told us they needed some grandpas and grandmas,” Marilee recalls with a smile.
Through the program, they regularly visit schools to talk with students about issues related to violence, including bullying and the effects of social media.
“One of the schools that had the most fights went 100 days without a fight,” Marilee says proudly. “Their goal had been to go ten days without a fight.”
Her volunteer work has also given her new friendships and connections.
“It’s nice to feel that I am knowing these people and calling them friends,” she says.
“Volunteering is an adventure and a growing experience for us,” Walt adds.
A Life of Purpose and Possibility
For Marilee and Walt, retirement has been anything but quiet. Whether exploring new corners of the world or inspiring the next generation at home, they continue to live with energy, curiosity, and compassion. Their story shows that staying active, both mentally and socially, is not only possible but deeply rewarding at every stage of life.
