A Life Surrounded by Beauty
Surrounded by the bright fabrics of quilts she has stitched and colorful artworks she has collected over the years, Jocelyn Smith, a resident of Heritage Pointe of Warren, is proving that creativity never gets old. Her passion for art provides a backdrop of beauty to her new home at the senior living community.
A Lifelong Love of Art
Smith, who taught home economics while raising two daughters, has always been fascinated by art and the creative process. Traveling with a friend throughout the country, they always made a point to visit art galleries where Smith collected paintings, glasswork, and pottery. These treasures now decorate her beautiful home at Heritage Pointe, where she moved two months ago.
“I’ve been collecting art for 40 or 50 years,” she says.
Before moving, Smith winnowed her collection but kept 50 well-loved paintings, including one displaying green and yellow hues of Maryland, where she lived and taught for many years.
A Warm Welcome Home
Smith is grateful for the assistance she has received at Heritage Pointe, which pulled out all the stops to help her feel at home, including carefully installing her artwork.
“The maintenance department hung all of my paintings and pictures,” she says. “They did just such a good job.”
She also appreciates the LED lighting that enables her to enjoy her art collection despite macular degeneration, as well as the fresh paint and carpeting provided before her move. “It’s like brand new,” she says.
Quilting: Creativity with a Personal Touch
Although Smith does not paint herself, she has her own creative endeavor: quilting. Inspired by a great aunt who quilted in Indiana, Smith began sewing her own clothes when she was younger and later discovered a passion for making quilts as a young mother.
Rather than following a pattern, she prefers “scrap” quilts, fashioned from remnants of fabric or clothing pieces. “I like to do my own thing,” she explains. “Scraps are memories. That’s the most important thing.”
One of her favorite quilts includes material from a pair of brightly patterned golf pants given by a friend. “People always know my quilts because they are so colorful,” she says.
Wellness Through Connection and Creativity
At Heritage Pointe, quilting is more than a pastime. It is a way of engaging socially and giving back. Smith joins fellow quilters to practice their craft together and to make items such as hats and stuffed animals that are donated to local hospitals and nonprofits.
Even with her eyesight challenges, she refuses to give up creating. “I can’t thread a needle, but I have lots of friends who can thread it for me,” she says.
Living Well at Heritage Pointe
Heritage Pointe’s dedication to the pillars of wellness: intellectual, physical, social, spiritual, and health services, are integral to Smith’s story. From nurturing her intellectual and creative spirit with quilting, to supporting her physical needs with updated lighting, to fostering friendships through shared activities, the community provides a holistic approach that enhances every dimension of wellness.
A Happy Home
Grateful that she said, “yes to the address,” Smith reflects that moving to Heritage Pointe was a positive decision. Surrounded by the quilts and artwork she treasures, and supported by a community committed to her well-being, she says simply, “It just makes me happy.”
