Dorothy PollockDorothy Pollock grew up in McKeesport, and held jobs in Pittsburgh and Monroeville. But the place that her heart wanted to settle someday was in New Wilmington, Lawrence County. Dorothy first fell in love with the town when she went to Westminster College in 1942 to study chemistry. After graduating, she took a job in Pittsburgh, but would frequently return to her alma mater to volunteer in the alumni office. Her road trips to New Wilmington would eventually end when she moved to Shenango on the Green, which is located directly across the street from the College. New Wilmington was now her home and her trips to the College were now on foot!

When Dorothy decided she was ready to downsize, the plans were just being put into motion to build Shenango on the Green, a Presbyterian SeniorCare Network independent living community. “At first, I really didn’t think the building was going to be ready on the timeline I had to move. So I put in a deposit at a community in Murrysville. Right after I made my deposit, Shenango on the Green received approval and construction was soon to begin. The community returned my deposit so that my New Wilmington/Westminster College plan was going to happen," Dorothy explains.

Dorothy moved into her apartment at Shenango on the Green in 2002, the first week it opened. She was one of the first residents to move in. “Aside from the annoyances of old age, there is no reason why anyone wouldn’t love living here. Everything is here for us residents. If we have a problem, it is solved. If we are hungry, the food is marvelous and we don’t have to worry about doing the dishes or cleaning the table. There are so many advantages to living here; I can stay active, I have my friends close and the team at Shenango on the Green serves us well."

Dorothy continued to volunteer at Westminster College when she moved, but she also took on responsibilities at Shenango on the Green. She was the first president of the Resident Association Council. She also facilitated the creation of the Resident Directory, a compilation of current residents, including a photo and a short bio on each, as a way to help everyone get to know each other.

Having a special connection to not only the local New Wilmington community, but also to the residents at Shenango on the Green, Dorothy found it very natural to include Presbyterian SeniorCare Network in her will with a designation to the area of greatest need.

“Where you live, it becomes part of who you are. I know that funding is always needed for those who can no longer afford their care. I am fortunate, love where I live, and I want to give back because of all that was given to me,” Dorothy explains, smiling.