By Betsy Fradd

Village Green Retirement Campus

Carolyn Ayers leads an intentional life full of purpose, determination and optimism. She greets each day eager to help others, exercise her mind and body and be ready for new adventures. Whether it’s assisting at her church, twice-weekly Hatha yoga sessions or learning lines for her Reader’s Theater group, Carolyn has a kind word or uplifting thought for all.

A native New Yorker, Ayers has lived in the Northwest for more than 20 years with stops in Virginia, California, Hawaii, Bermuda, and Rhode Island. Highlights of traveling to six continents during her 76 years include an African safari, seeing the Great Wall of China, a general audience with the Pope at the Vatican, visiting a Masai village in Kenya, and trips to Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan.

“Bhutan is the most fascinating country I’ve been to,” said Ayers. “It’s isolated and people are more at ease and peaceful.”

Her extensive volunteering includes work with the Red Cross, shopping for wounded veterans, helping in the children’s unit at a military hospital, being a Big Sister, a guardian ad litem, and a food adviser for Washington State University. Currently she volunteers at her church as a greeter and at their food bank and is a reading tutor at her grandson’s school.

“I love volunteer work,” said Ayers, a mother of six with a dozen grandchildren. “I like to know I’m helping someone have a better day and also show a person or family there are people who care about them especially if they are feeling completely isolated and afraid. A little happiness in one’s life can mean a lot.”

For more than 20 years Ayers worked part time as a Home Health Care aide bringing comfort to people with Alzheimer’s, Cerebral Palsy, and other illnesses. She believes staying positive and treating people with kindness are prescriptions for life.

At Village Green Ayers stays active with weekly walking groups, outdoor adventures, day trips and on-site entertainment. A resident council representative, she’s in the know on the latest events and enjoys welcoming new residents to the community.

When it comes to growing older Carolyn’s perspective is to embrace current trends such as technology and communication.

“I think it’s easier if you become familiar with it, try to understand it and use it if you can,” said Carolyn. “I like to keep an open mind, be willing to change, and make sure I have something to look forward to each day.”