Gatesworth Stories —
Judith Scissors
Right at Home
As we age, security and comfort become even more important than they were earlier in life. It’s much easier to enjoy your later years when you know all of your needs are anticipated and help is never more than a few steps away. For Judith Scissors, the combination of ease and confidence is one of the main reasons she decided to move to The Gatesworth. For more than 35 years, the senior living community has been offering innovative services and a variety of amenities to residents to ensure they remain active, happy and comfortable.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Scissors is a graduate of University City High School. She left the region for a while but returned to settle in Chesterfield. Since then, she’s been an active member of the community, volunteering and serving on boards for various nonprofits, including Miriam, the Jewish Book Festival and The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Her philanthropic endeavors are just one example of how she’s kept engaged. “I love to travel,” she adds. “I’ve traveled extensively, and I continue to do so with my daughter and grandchildren.”
Making a move to a senior living community was not something Scissors initially considered. Her daughter, who lives in Arizona, however, was concerned about her mother living on her own. “I’ve been widowed twice,” Scissors says. “My daughter wanted me to move after the death of my first husband, but I wasn’t ready. It was only after my second husband died a year and a half ago that I decided it was time.” She began touring local communities. Having a friend who already lived at The Gatesworth, she decided to make a visit. For Scissors, it was immediately apparent that this was the place for her.
Scissors has been at The Gatesworth for six months, and she’s settled in quickly. It has been a perfect fit for her active lifestyle. She’s been able to take excursions throughout St. Louis and the surrounding area, sit in on talks given by visiting experts or her fellow residents, participate regularly in book clubs and enjoy the live entertainment the community hosts weekly. “There is so much to keep you active, both physically and mentally,” she notes. “If there’s an activity you’d like but isn’t offered, the staff will make it happen. They recently started ping pong matches and golf putting. It’s great.”
From her first visit, one of the things Scissors enjoyed the most about The Gatesworth is the people—residents and staff alike. She’s found the sense of community a refreshing change from the isolation of living on her own. “I’ve been able to meet so many different people, and there’s always someone to have a conversation with,” she says. “The first time I visited, one of the owners came and spoke with me. It’s such a welcoming place. For anyone who is hesitant about moving, don’t be. When my grandson stopped by, he thought it was great. Coming from a 20-something, that speaks volumes.”
