The right place at the right time: One family’s senior living experience
Published 6:00 pm Sunday, December 28, 2025
When Margaret Ogilvie looks back on her decision to move to Elim Village, what stands out most isn’t loss – it’s timing. “I feel like I moved at the right time,” she says. “I was ready.”
For more than four decades, Margaret lived in the same five-bedroom home in Oliver. It was where she raised her family, built a life, and served alongside her husband in pastoral ministry. After his unexpected passing, she stayed for six more years, determined to manage on her own. But the house – and the responsibilities that came with it – slowly began to feel heavier.
“The yard was big,” she recalls. “Keeping up the bathrooms, keeping things dust-free – it was more work than pleasure.”
A new perspective on senior living
At the same time, Margaret’s daughter Darlene Pedrosa was having her own shift in perspective. She began working at Elim Village in late 2022, with little prior experience in senior living. What she encountered surprised her.
“I wasn’t aware places like this existed,” Darlene says. “People were completely running their own lives, but within a community. It opened my eyes to what aging with support could actually look like.”
As Darlene learned more about Elim Village, she began to wonder if it could be a good fit for her mom – not out of urgency, but out of opportunity. Margaret was still independent and active, but Darlene had noticed the emotional weight her mother was carrying since her husband’s passing.
“There was a lot of isolation,” Darlene says. “She needed space to grieve, but she’s also an extrovert who’s always been involved in things. I could see that slipping away.”
Making the move on your own terms
The conversations unfolded gradually. There was no single moment or ultimatum – and that was intentional. Darlene and her family were clear on one thing: the decision needed to be Margaret’s.
“We really wanted to empower her to choose,” Darlene says. “Not get to a point where the decision had to be made for her.”
At first, Margaret was hesitant. Her frame of reference for senior living came from pastoral visits she and her husband used to make to care homes – places that felt restrictive and clinical. Touring Elim Village challenged those assumptions.
“I thought, ‘I’m not that bad yet – I don’t use a cane or a walker,’” Margaret admits. “Then I thought, maybe this isn’t such a bad idea.”
Finding the right fit
When a suite became available in Independent Living, something clicked. It felt familiar – closer to the independence she was used to, while still offering community and support.
Now settled in, Margaret describes her life as freer than it’s been in years. She comes and goes as she pleases, walks to the river or Save-On-Foods, and chooses when – and if – she wants to cook.
“I love that I can go over to The Hawthorn and eat if I don’t feel like making supper,” she says. “I go on walks. My car is nearby in the parkade. I feel very free.”
A life-giving community
More than anything, it’s the sense of connection that’s made the difference. “I have a lot of friends here,” Margaret says. “I feel like I’m always laughing. A merry heart is like good medicine.”
Darlene noticed the change too. “Within six months, she came alive again. It was like, ‘There’s Mom again,’” she says. “I started seeing that shift and I was so thankful that she came at the time she did. It was really good timing.”
Living closer has also brought their family closer together, from impromptu dinners to grandchildren getting to know their grandmother in new ways.
Choosing to move while still strong
Looking back, both agree the timing mattered. Moving while Margaret was still strong and independent made the transition feel like a choice, not a necessity.
“It would have been harder to move if I was already using a cane or walker,” Margaret says.
Her advice to others who may be wondering if they’re ready? “Sometimes you have to take a step,” she says. “Get out of your comfort zone a little bit.”
For Margaret, that step led not to less life – but more of it.
The right place and the right time
For those beginning to consider what the next chapter could look like, The Cedar offers an opportunity to make that move on your own terms. This final Independent Living building at Elim Village Garrison Crossing is nearly 70 per cent sold, with only 15 Independent Living suites remaining.
Among them are a limited number of suites with two balconies – an exceptional feature that brings in more light, fresh air and flexibility for everyday living. These suites, known as The Allouette floor plan, offer a spacious floor plan with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The primary bedroom opens onto a private deck, while the main living and dining area extends to a generous balcony, creating inviting spaces to entertain, or simply enjoy the view.
To learn more about available suites or to book a visit, explore The Cedar today.