New Pond Village Resident Celebrates Grandparents Day With a Legacy Rooted in Walpole
A Walpole family story spanning nearly six decades comes full circle as Savita P. celebrates the joy of watching the next generation grow.
National Grandparents Day on September 13 recognized 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.
Family Time at New Pond Village
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.
“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.”
A Family Story Rooted in Walpole
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.
Watching the Next Generation Follow Their Dreams
Across the two generations, family members have attended Harvard University, Northwestern University, Johns 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.”