New Pond Village Resident Celebrates Grandparents Day With a Legacy Rooted in Walpole

National Grandparents Day on September 13 will recognize an estimated 64 million grandparents in the United States, according to U.S. Census Bureau survey data. For Savita P., a resident at Walpole continuing care retirement community, New Pond Village, being a grandmother is especially meaningful. Her four grandchildren are the latest chapter in a family story that began in Walpole nearly six decades ago, when she and her husband left India to build a new life in the United States.

Today, her children and grandchildren visit her and her husband Ramesh at New Pond Village every single week. Their time together often includes grocery shopping, sharing a meal, and joining Savita for exercise classes at the community. Savita and her husband moved to New Pond Village five years ago, with help from their son in coordinating the transition.

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"My family is such an important part of my life." Savita said. "New Pond Village gives us a wonderful place to spend time together. They get to be part of my life here, and I get to continue being part of theirs."

Savita and her husband settled in Walpole 58 years ago after moving to the United States from India. Before the move, Savita taught geography at a government high school, while her husband worked as an engineer – a career he continued in the United States. Over the decades, they raised two sons, welcomed four grandchildren and built friendships that became family.

"It has been my joy to watch my grandchildren grow from babies to adults who are following their dreams," Savita said.

Across the two generations, family members have attended Harvard University, Northwestern University, John Hopkins University, Boston University and other institutions, pursuing careers in engineering, biology, finance, law and more. Her granddaughter recently graduated from UC Irvine; a milestone Savita speaks about with particular pride.

For Savita, however, those accomplishments matter less than the people her children and grandchildren have become. She sees the same determination that guided her and her husband reflected in her sons today. "We came from India and worked hard to make a life here," Savita said. "My sons have always done everything they can to support their families. I'm very proud of them."

Savita has stayed active during her five years at New Pond Village. She practices yoga three times a week and spends Monday mornings with the Needle Neighbors, the resident led knitting group at New Pond Village. The group's work has helped others in the Walpole community – members have knitted blankets for veterans at West Roxbury VA Medical Center. Savita was also among the residents who knitted caps for newborns at Sturdy Health in Attleboro to celebrate a previous Patriots home opener - an effort that also included a $500 donation to the hospital.

"Savita asks about my child every time she sees me and often times gives me a piece of candy to bring home to them. I know she does the same for others. She even offers to babysit whenever needed. She truly is a grandmother to all of us," said Cassi Braithwaite, director of community relations at New Pond Village.

For Savita, staying connected to others has been constant throughout her life, from the friendships she formed after arriving in Walpole to the family she raised and the community she has found today.

"My family knows how happy I am at New Pond Village," Savita said. "I have so many wonderful, welcoming people around me who have become dear friends."

This National Grandparents Day, she had much to reflect on: two sons, four grandchildren, and nearly six decades of life built in Walpole. Watching her grandchildren grow into adults has brought plenty of change, but Savita said one thing has remained constant: their love for one another.

"I love them and they love me. If they need me, I am here for them," Savita said.