PAID ADVERTISEMENT / CHARTWELL

If you’ re considering moving to Chartwell Southwind, there’ s a good chance the first friendly face to greet you will be Bertha Holtby, though everyone calls her“ Birdie.” A resident for twenty years, Birdie has made it her personal mission to welcome newcomers with a warm smile and a wealth of knowledge about the charming residence.

“ It’ s your new home, and sometimes you don’ t know where anything is and you feel nervous to ask,” she says.“ I like to be attentive to new people in their day-to-day life and share information they aren’ t aware of yet.”

That warmth doesn’ t stop at introductions. As Chartwell Southwind’ s beloved resident ambassador, Birdie draws newcomers into a community full of life through initiatives like the H. O. P. E. project, where residents raise money for local charities through bake sales and her crokinole group, where laughter is always the

main event.“ Laughter is what we need most,” she says.

Her instinct to care for others runs deep. Born on a farm in southern Ontario, Birdie trained as a well-baby nurse with the Canadian Mothercraft Society, guiding new parents and looking after newborns. She later became the first activity director at a nearby nursing home, a role that allowed her to combine her nurturing nature with her passion for fostering community.

In 2001, Birdie and her husband moved to her daughter’ s twelve-acre farm. A country girl at heart, she never expected that a few years later she would relocate to the city or move into a retirement residence. But when her daughter decided to sell the farm and Birdie’ s husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’ s disease, the family began looking for a place that could provide additional support. It was Chartwell Southwind’ s sweeping greenspaces and garden bird feeders that ultimately felt like home.

And home it has truly become.“ The staff is an extension of my own family,” Birdie says.“ I think the world of them. They’ re always so good to us.” Twenty years on, that bond reflects everything that defines life at Chartwell Southwind: a place where residents enjoy real independence while surrounded by people who genuinely care.

Birdie still treasures quiet mornings outside with her beloved birds and she knows every neighbour by name. But her greatest contribution to the community may simply be her philosophy:“ If you meet someone without a smile, give them one of yours.”

Discover what life at Chartwell could look like for you or a loved one. Visit chartwell. com to learn more.