Lots to Love About Life at Brooksby Village

After living in Paris, Rome, Milan, and the South of France, Laurie Mokriski was ready to find a home base at a retirement community where she could continue her active lifestyle.

With a range of amenities, clubs, and volunteer opportunities right on campus, Brooksby Village, an Erickson Senior Living community in Peabody, Mass., was the perfect fit.

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Recently, Laurie sat down with the Tribune to share why she made the move, why she's loving community life now, and how she knows she made the right decision.

Tribune: What led you to Brooksby?

Laurie: While living in Boston, Mass., I had an aunt who lived at Brooksby. I visited her a few times [and liked the community].

I go rock 'n' roll dancing twice a week with groups of friends, and Brooksby is close to a lot of the places where I go to dance. I knew that living at Brooksby would make it very convenient to go dancing, which is a big part of my life that I really enjoy.

Tribune: What prompted you to make the move?

Laurie: When many of my friends began moving out of the city to be near their kids and grandkids, the timing seemed right to sell my condo in Boston. I moved here at the end of November 2025. I live in a two-bedroom, two-bath Hawthorne residence with a patio, and I love it.

Plus, my car is a plug-in hybrid, and now the charger is right nearby, which is very convenient.

Tribune: How has your maintenance-free residence enhanced your life?

Laurie: It has definitely made life easier. With more free time, I go to the fitness center, swim in the pool, and walk a lot more with my dog.

Tribune: What are some ways you've gotten involved on campus?

Laurie: I like the activities here and have joined a lot of groups. As an experienced English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, I joined the volunteer Reach program, which helps employees improve their language skills. Employees are very excited about the program. A lot of residents volunteer about an hour each week. It's very rewarding.

I'm also involved with the climate change group, which informs people about the benefits of electric vehicles. The French club is great to keep my French language skills sharp.

There are lots of other activities, lectures, organizations, groups, and opportunities to meet new people. I have lovely neighbors!

Tribune: Has your well-being improved since moving in?

Laurie: For sure. I'm able to continue my active lifestyle, staying healthy and fit. I've practically stopped cooking, which is a relief for me! The menus in the restaurants are terrific, which is great for maintaining my weight. They serve a lot of fish, including a grilled salmon. There are also lots of good salad offerings. But every once in a while, I splurge on dessert.

Tribune: How has your move provided peace of mind?

Laurie: The whole idea of being here is that I don't want my kids to worry about me the way I worried about my parents. They lived far from me at the time, and it was a constant worry. I simply want my kids to have their choices about their lives the way I ended up having mine. That is really important to me.

I'm going to live here the rest of my life, and if I need help, it's here. There are doctors, dentists, and hairdressers here--all things you normally would drive to. It's wonderful to have all that here on campus and not have to worry.

Tribune: What do you love most about living at Brooksby?

Laurie: It's really great moving in while physically able and very healthy. It makes a difference, getting to know the place and making friends while I'm still active and independent. Recently, I invited 13 family members here for a picnic. It was right outside my residence. It was fun to be able to use my patio area for a family get-together.

Plus, Brooksby's location offers plenty of great restaurants and places to visit--including my dance venues! And I am still traveling, especially to France. I'm very fortunate to live here.

To learn more about vibrant, carefree senior living, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and much more.

By Susan Ingram