Journalist and life-long mystery aficionado Carolyn Tillery set the stage for suspense at The Preston of the Park Cities during the senior living community’s Watermark University class on September 17.
The topic of the day was “Senior Sleuths”, as Tillery, who has been passionate about reading mysteries and writing “since she held her first Nancy Drew novel”, shared her passion for her favorite subject.
“The world of senior detectives, PIs, homicide consultants and amateurs, proves that the older we get the better we get at solving mysteries!” said Tillery. “From Poirot, Marple, Morse and Wexford, to Rebus, Beaumont, Robicheaux and Polifax, to Henrie O’, Scudder, Fletcher and Bosch, these seasoned sleuths get it done!”
Tillery also shared insights from her many interviews with mystery novelists, background on mystery fiction as a genre, and books she recommends for an older generation of mystery fans.
“I think it was eye-opening to our senior residents to learn from Carolyn’s talk that many novelists and beloved characters in the mystery fiction world are actually senior citizens themselves,” said Ke’o Velasquez, Executive Director, The Preston of the Park Cities.
“Carolyn reminded us that Agatha Christie’s famous Belgian detective, Hercules Poirot, was a retiree who became the only fictional character ever to receive front page news coverage in The New York Times when the paper ran his obituary in 1975. She also piqued residents’ interest in a new novel series by Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club, which is set in a retirement community and features four septuagenarian sleuths,” he added.
Tillery quoted detective writer and best-selling novelist of all time, Agatha Christie, in closing, “As Agatha Christie said, ‘If I were at any time to set out on a life of crime, it would be Miss Marple that I should be most afraid.’”
The presentation by Carolyn Tillery was part of the community’s Watermark University series, which features integrated programmatic offerings in the seven dimensions of wellness (spiritual, emotional, vocational, physical, social, environmental, and intellectual).
The program is a signature of Watermark Retirement Communities® at the 58 communities in 21 states it manages, including The Preston of the Park Cities, which is owned by Dallas-based Silverstone Senior Living.
The Preston of the Park Cities, parkcities.watermarkcommunities.com, is a full-service luxury rental retirement community offering Assisted Living, The Bridge and Memory Care. The community is located at 5917 Sherry Lane, Dallas 75225.
ABOUT THE PRESTON OF THE PARK CITIES
The Preston of the Park Cities is a full-service luxury rental retirement community with 134 residences offering Assisted Living, The Bridge and Memory Care. Located at 5917 Sherry Lane, Dallas 75225, in the prestigious Park Cities / Preston Hollow area, the community features an amenity-rich lifestyle with dynamic programs, fine dining, and concierge services. The Preston of the Park Cities is owned by Dallas-based Silverstone Senior Living and operated by Watermark Retirement Communities®. Visit parkcities.watermarkcommunities.com for more information.
ABOUT SILVERSTONE SENIOR LIVING
Silverstone Senior Living develops high-quality senior housing communities which provide independent living, assisted living and memory care services in Texas, Florida and the Mid-Atlantic states. The principals of Silverstone have extensive experience and an excellent track record in the real estate industry. This experience includes designing, developing, managing, operating and owning premier properties throughout the nation and across all the major asset platforms for both public and private companies. Silverstone is committed to developing and operating “best in class” communities that are as comfortable as home, luxurious as a country club, and provide the highest level of care. Visit silverstoneseniorliving.com for more information.
ABOUT WATERMARK RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES®
Watermark creates extraordinary communities where people thrive. We believe aging is about renewal rather than retirement. Watermark communities are known for highly trained and caring associates, a lifestyle built on choice, fine amenities, integrative wellness and innovative programs including the award-winning Watermark University featuring a wide variety of engaging classes for residents and area seniors. Watermark has been named in the top 25 Best Workplaces for Aging Services in a national program conducted by the Great Place to Work Institute and published on Fortune.com. A privately held company with a reputation for over 30 years for service, innovation, integrity and financial stability, Watermark manages more than 65 retirement communities coast to coast. Based in Tucson AZ, Watermark is ranked as the nation’s 9th-leading senior housing operator by the American Seniors Housing Association. Visit watermarkcommunities.com for more information.