She builds creative community
Betty Wilder is living proof that it is never too late to make your dreams come true. She published her first novel on her 72nd birthday. Since then she has published several more novels and a memoir, and founded the community’s Scribes weekly writers’ group. She’s also a painter and was once active in the community’s Meadowlarks singing group as the former group director.
“Creativity is God’s gift to you,” she said. “Your gift to God is to use it.”
The write stuff
Born in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, the former Elizabeth Egerton married Calvin Wilder, of Gardiner, Maine. The couple called Maine “home” for 22 years. During the 59 years they were married, they raised two sons and a daughter, and had four grandchildren. She taught kindergarten and did office work, but always followed her muse. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Art & Education and worked as a watercolorist and photographer on the Maine coast. She also needle arts kits for a national company and owned a retail shop.
Betty and Cal moved to Simpson Meadows in 2009. The following year, writing as Elizabeth Egerton Wilder, she published The Spruce Gum Box, a historical novel set in northern Maine in the 19th century and inspired by her love of nature. The book won a 2011 Readers Favorite Award. Later, she published a sequel, Granite Hearts, followed by Beneath Mackerel Skies, set in Maine after the Civil War. She also wrote Tea Leaf Annie, a memoir about growing up in Massachusetts during World War II. Today she is at work on a fifth book.
Caring connections
Author’s credentials aside, Betty says her greatest accomplishments in life are “children, community, church.” She was drawn to Simpson Meadows because “people take care of each other. They are like one big family.” She says she could feel the difference as soon as she walked in. One of her most important life lessons, she says, is to surround yourself with interesting people. That’s easy to do at Simpson Meadows, and the woman who smiles as she remembers walking under Niagara Falls has found several ways to connect with other artists, singers and writers in the community and to support their creativity.
Call us today at 610-269-8400 or submit the form below to see for yourself why Betty and other creative people choose Simpson Meadows for retirement living.