A Life of Caring – Now Surrounded by Community
When Dr. Betty Mill moved to the community nearly four years ago, she brought with her a lifetime of caring for others. A nurse practitioner who spent more than a decade serving patients at the local free health clinic, Dr. Mill built her career around helping people live healthier lives.
Today, she’s found a place where that same spirit of care surrounds her every day.
“Our community is actually an international community,” she says. “We have people from lots of different places outside the United States, and everyone is down to earth and friendly.”
Originally an Illinois farm girl, Dr. Mill says growing up in a small rural community shaped how she views life and relationships.
“Growing up on the farm, you learned to take care of people and be there for them,” she explains.
After years of living in different places, Dr. Mill and her husband discovered Virginia’s Northern Neck almost by chance after reading an article about the area. One visit was all it took.
“We had never even heard of the Northern Neck before,” she says. “But when we came down and looked around, we said, ‘This is it.’ It felt like home.”
Following her husband’s passing, Dr. Mill began thinking about the next chapter of her life. Maintaining a home and property alone had become more difficult, and after attending a few community events at RWC and learning more about the campus, she knew she had found the right place.
“I haven’t looked back since,” she says.
Today, Dr. Mill stays as active as ever. Her days often begin early with a walk around the beautiful campus or a ride on her three-wheel bike. She chairs the community’s Culinary Committee, participates in water aerobics and swimming, and enjoys taking art classes.
“My calendar is busy,” she says with a laugh. “Sometimes I look at the schedule and think, ‘I can’t do that because I’m already doing something else.’ There’s always something happening.”
One of the things she appreciates most is the strong sense of connection among residents and staff.
“It’s amazing how the staff, especially at the front desk, know you after they see you once or twice,” she says. “Everyone knows your name.”
But for Dr. Mill, life at RWC doesn’t stop at the campus. She appreciates that residents can remain engaged in the broader Northern Neck community.
“Being here at RWC, there are continued opportunities to stay involved in the larger community for those who want them,” she says. “Things like the library, student tutoring, theatre, choirs, and more. It’s nice to know those don’t have to be given up when you move here.”
For someone who spent her life in healthcare, the peace of mind offered by a full continuum of care is especially meaningful.
“I know I will be taken care of very well,” she says. “There’s comfort in knowing that.”
For anyone considering making the move, her advice is simple:
“Do it. Research it, and you’ll find the strengths of this community.”
