Coming Home, Again: Second-Generation Residents Embrace Legacy and Lifestyle

When Merrill Beveridge and Carol Siddons first crossed paths at Abbey Delray South, it wasn’t over coffee or a community event — it was while visiting their mothers in our Health Center. Regular check-ins became the start of a friendship built on shared experience, mutual understanding, and a deep appreciation for the community that supported their loved ones.

Years later, Abbey Delray South is where both women and their spouses chose to live. It was returning to something familiar, a place that had long felt like home. Beyond familiar comforts, we offer an instant sense of belonging — a place where neighbors become close friends, connections come easily and naturally, and every day is filled with shared experiences and genuine community.

After years of visiting their mothers here and experiencing Abbey Delray South firsthand, Merrill and Carol knew it was the kind of lifestyle they wanted for themselves. As senior living continues to evolve from a focus on care to one of independence, connection, and active living, more second-generation residents are choosing communities they know and trust — places like Abbey Delray South, where their next chapter feels uplifting, immersive, and truly their own.

Merrill Beveridge: Golden Retrievers, Lasting Bonds, and a Life Well-Lived

For Merrill Beveridge, moving to Abbey Delray South in 2022 felt like a natural next step. Her parents, Matty and Marion Mathews, were among our community’s original residents when we opened in 1981. “They lived in one of the first villas. I got to know the team members, the residents … this place was home,” she said. “It was just a given that one day, I’d return.”

Merrill’s parents were deeply involved in our community. Matty, former Men’s Club president, was celebrated with a memorial bench at the entrance and a plaque in the Hospitality Room recognizing his “vision, wisdom, and enthusiasm” for Abbey Delray South. Marion volunteered at Bethesda Hospital, led the Sea Grape Garden Club, and was honored with a memorial garden and plaque. “It’s why I’m so grounded here, because of all these memories I see on campus,” Merrill said.

After years of visiting, Merrill knew Abbey Delray South would be her future home. She had seen the sense of community up close — especially while visiting her mother daily in the Health Center, often accompanied by her certified therapy dog, MacGregor, a golden retriever who loved residents.

Today, Merrill’s daily walks span three miles alongside Benji, her very own golden retriever adopted from Big Dog Ranch Rescue. “They say I saved his life, but the truth is, he saved mine,” Merrill said.

At one point, both her mother and mother-in-law lived there across the hall from each other. “My mother-in-law would look after my mom and make sure she had her sweater before Bingo,” Merrill recalled. “It was a big family.”

Since settling in three years ago, Merrill has embraced an active, fulfilling lifestyle that keeps her energized and engaged. A lifelong athlete, she plays golf, pickleball, bocce, and shuffleboard — and proudly competes as an Abbey Delray South Olympian.

She also followed in her parents’ footsteps with a commitment to service. She volunteers at her church, making crafts and mentoring students through the Milagro Center, a local nonprofit that provides academic and emotional support for underserved children. In 2021, she was a Woman Volunteer of the Year finalist by the Junior League of Boca Raton.

Carol Siddons: Rooted in Love, Blossoming in Community

Carol’s connection to Abbey Delray South began well before she moved in. For a decade, she visited her mother, Juanita Niemeyer, almost daily. “This felt like home before it became home for me,” Carol said. And in a way, it had already become a second home for her children, who visited their grandmother weekly and grew up amid the warm, welcoming environment.

Carol’s mother was remarkable — an amputee who raised her daughter as a single mother, worked as a nurse, traveled the world, and played competitive bridge with legends like Charles Goren and Omar Sharif.

When Juanita decided to leave her home with a pool and daily swims behind, it wasn’t out of necessity, it was a decision rooted in self-awareness. “She liked the look and feel of Abbey Delray South and the people,” Carol said. “She was very independent and needed a place that matched her spirit.”

Juanita lived five active years in her apartment, driving herself around on a scooter before eventually moving into our Health Center. Even there, her fire never dimmed. “One day, she called 911 from her room — not for an emergency, but to ask the paramedics to take her to the mall,” Carol laughed. “She died with her hat on. Literally.”

That vivacious, independent spirit was what Carol admired in her mother and continues to carry with her today. When she and her husband, Donald, decided to move into Abbey Delray South 23 years ago, they were younger than most — Carol was just 59. With three adult children still living at home, a big house on the water, and a serious health diagnosis for Donald, the timing felt right. “We didn’t want our kids to worry,” Carol said. “This was a gift to them and ourselves.”

Over the years, Carol continues to passionately volunteer in our Health Center, offering residents comfort, conversation, and companionship. Her deep roots in the community are visible in her love of gardening. Carol’s home boasts a vividly landscaped yard and patio full of flowers.

Discover Why Abbey Delray South Is the Choice for First- and Second-Generation Families

Merrill and Carol’s stories reflect a broader shift in how we view senior living. Today, communities like Abbey Delray South offer something much more dynamic: a way of living life on your terms, surrounded by friends, opportunities, and services that adapt as your needs do.

This continuity is comforting and empowering for second-generation residents. They’ve witnessed firsthand what quality hospitality and community engagement look like, and now they’re embracing it for themselves.

Discover why Abbey Delray South is the community so many older adults and their families choose again and again. Contact us to learn more about our community and book a tour to see all the opportunities that await you.