Marion Pritchard’s remarkable efforts
during WWII helped to hide hundreds of
Jewish children.

Early in the occupation, Marion was asked by her supervisor to take home the young son of a Jewish couple before they were deported. However, her life as an insurgent really began when she saw the residents of a Jewish children’s home deported.

“That event really increased her resolve, and she decided that this [rescue work] was something she ought to do,” recalled her son, Ivor Pritchard.

Marion went on to dedicate much of her time to hiding, sheltering and moving Jewish children who were in danger of being sent to concentration camps. Ivor explained that Marion actually does not know how many of the children she helped ultimately survived  the War. “She knows that she helped to hide hundreds of children, but with the exception of a few, she doesn’t know how many of them survived,” he said.

Marion’s connections with her charges were naturally limited by her sense of duty. “When you’re trying to keep people hidden, you don’t want to know any more than you have to, so you don’t have anything to tell if you get caught,” Ivor noted.

After the War, Marion became a social worker for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) and helped to organize displaced person camps. It was at an UNRRA camp that she met Tony Pritchard, a former U.S. Army officer who became the camp director. “They had actually met while she was training for the job but parted ways and were reunited when he was brought in to run the camp,” recalled Ivor. “They reestablished their relationship there and were married at the camp.”

After several years working in the camps, the Pritchards returned to the United States and went on to have three boys. However, Marion never gave up her work on behalf of Jewish refugees, later taking a position with the Boston Jewish Family and Children’s Service.

After Tony passed away, Marion decided to move to the Washington, D.C., area to be closer to one of her children. Ivor lives in Cleveland Park, and Marion moved to The Georgetown Retirement Residence, an assisted living community that is only three miles away.

Marion had been living at The Georgetown for several years when a series of falls resulted in a trip to the emergency room. From the hospital, Marion went to a rehabilitation center to learn to walk with a walker. When she was released back to The Georgetown, they recommended that she receive additional nursing care and suggested Capital City Nurses, a full service home care agency.

“Capital City has been helping her since last November, and their services have been very good,” Ivor said. He explained that the degree of help provided has varied according to his mother’s needs.

The caregivers from Capital City have formed a strong bond with Marion. “The caregivers have come to understand how my mother sees things,” Ivor said. “They are very good at encouraging her to be active but also respect her independence, which is so important.”

The independent spirit that allowed Marion to risk everything to protect and save children during the War endures to this day. While she may not know all the victims she saved, her legendary efforts will certainly never be forgotten.

As one-year residents of Twining Village, a Diakon Lutheran Senior Living Community in Holland, Pa., the couple fill their days with enjoyable activities, including socializing with friends in the new home. Whether attending a bingo game in the afternoon or seeing a movie at night, the Macfarlans keep themselves busy and love every minute of it.

“We moved to Twining Village over a year ago from the Churchville area because our large home was becoming too difficult to maintain,” explains Mrs. Macfarlan. “Along with the security and easy living at Twining, the activities and social aspect are just wonderful for us””and our health.”

Studies have shown that when older adults participate in a variety of activities, their health and sense of well-being improves. For this reason, senior living communities offer a wide range of stimulating programs, so that the individual needs of each resident are met.

As a Continuing Care Retirement Community, Twining Village provides numerous activities and programs while allowing residents a sense of security with its personal care accommodations and available nursing and rehabilitative care. Beverly Gowton, the director of community life, plans a variety of social programs and activities that challenge the mind and stimulate the imagination. Gowton encourages residents to join activities that spark their interest and she assists in starting new programs as needed or requested. Whether they are passionate about art, music, card games, travel, sporting events, or knitting, people will find something for everyone at Twining Village.

According to Gowton, Wii Bowling is a wonderful activity for the older person. “If you break down the actual activity, it provides for a wide variety of stimulation, socialization, eye-hand coordination, finger dexterity, body movement and, most importantly, it challenges the brain to think by remembering patterns. Many of the residents participate in tournaments with other local senior living communities. There is nothing wrong with a little friendly competition to get everyone up and moving.”

In fact, no matter what your age, you should participate in some type of leisure activity, advises Gowton. “As we mature, it is extremely important for us to continue to maintain those activities as much as possible. For seniors, enjoying life can help them delay the aging process and in some cases, slow down age-related illnesses. An active, busy lifestyle keeps your mind and body healthy for a longer time.”

Mrs. Macfarlan experienced several medical concerns before moving to Twining Village, but since then, she says, she couldn’t feel better. “I had several strokes and a hip replacement, but I am able to participate in so much here, nothing keeps me down. In fact, I want to start water aerobics.” Her activities roster also includes Canasta, Rummy Q, and crafts.

Along with Wii bowling, Mr. Macfarlan is in charge of movie night and plays shuffleboard.

“I believe that seniors should not sit around and watch television all day; it is important to get out and get active,” says Mrs. Macfarlan. “I try to encourage all of my neighbors to participate in the activities Twining has to offer. There’s something for everyone here. You just have to look for it and you will find it. And if someone has a new idea for an activity, they can make it happen.”

Are we eavesdropping on a meeting with a custom home builder? No, we are hearing some of the many requirements for the perfect retirement living space expressed by residents of The Virginian, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Fairfax, VA. Judging by the apartment conversions that have already been completed-not to mention the ones that are in the planning stages-the management and staff at The Virginian were listening as well.

After looking for a retirement community in the area for several years, George and Marion Craig found themselves returning to The Virginian again and again. Marion recalls, “We kept coming back! We knew we would be happy here. The surroundings are just beautiful.” When Marion saw the relatively small kitchen, her excitement cooled.

It was not until the Craigs were told about the ongoing apartment conversions that their interest really piqued. By combining a one-bedroom apartment with a two-bedroom apartment, The Virginian was able to meet the needs of the Craigs, who wanted not only a larger kitchen but also lots of wall space.

The Craigs moved into their custom apartment in June and have been thrilled with the experience thus far. In addition to enjoying the pastoral surroundings and welcoming environment that initially drew them to The Virginian, they also appreciate the intimate atmosphere. “Some retirement communities are very large, like small cities. This is smaller, which gives us a nice sense of community,” George points out.

Completing their nearly ten year long search has left the Craigs with a great sense of accomplishment and pride. George explains, “We have a strong sense of independence. That is the fundamental reason we decided to move now, so we could negotiate all the details.”

Independence comes naturally to the Craigs. They spent many years abroad and have traveled extensively. After six years of active duty with the Marines, George earned a degree in Physics and became a Systems Engineer. Most of his career was spent integrating large scale government and military systems. His work took the family around the country and the world.

The couple met in Washington, D.C. during WWII. Like many of her peers, Marion moved to the area to work for the army intelligence office during this critical time. One of her roommates, George’s distance relative, frequently invited her to attend dinner parties at the Craigs’ house. “And then one night there was this Marine leaning against the piano,” she smiles as she remembers.

Shortly after their marriage, George went back to college and started working full-time. He worked all the way through college in order to support their growing family of five children. The opportunity to live in various places, from Georgia to Holland, was invigorating for the couple’s children. “They all have fond memories of Holland. One of our sons even goes back to visit frequently,” Marion says.

Even after their children left home, the Craigs continued to travel. They lived in Belgium for four years while George was working with NATO shortly before retiring. Of life abroad, Marion noted, “We’re Americans, and we are happiest here, but all of our time spent abroad was really nice.” She continues, “We are not the type of people that get dissatisfied. We are determined to be happy, so we were happy all over the world.”

It’s that type of constructive standpoint that has helped the Craigs quickly adjust to their new community. That, and the “smiling faces” and “warm welcomes” they have received every night at dinner since they moved in six weeks ago. Their spacious new apartment, now professionally decorated, certainly helps too.

While the Craigs vied for a more spacious kitchen, long-time Virginian resident, Mrs. Fay Park, continued her pursuit for the perfect apartment. Mrs. Park has made a record three moves within the building. As she approaches her 11th year as a resident at The Virginian, she relates, “I just kept moving until I found the perfect apartment.” For her, that meant a living space that included a laundry room and a much rarer request-a doll room.

Mrs. Park has hundreds of dolls in various shapes, sizes, and styles. Her collection includes porcelain dolls, hand-made dolls, and some rare collectables. “Boredom started this habit,” says Mrs. Park, who found herself shopping for collectibles while her husband, a steam engineer, was working night shifts. After starting and losing interest in several collections, she found that dolls were “the prettiest, and there are so many different types.” She smiles as she sits in a wicker chair-normally reserved for a life-sized doll-and points out, “My four daughters love it! They always know what to get me for holidays.”

Finding a home for her dolls was not Mrs. Park’s only motivation for her multiple moves. She recalls, “The last thing my husband said to me before he died was, ‘I want you to have everything you ever wanted.’” She continues, “I didn’t want a lot, but I did want a larger apartment with a laundry room, so I kept holding out for it.”

Now settled into her ideal apartment with her vast doll collection, Mrs. Park continues to enjoy life at The Virginian. “When I first moved here so many years ago, I thought the people were all so great. They still are. This really is like a family,” she says. Mrs. Park has been an integral part of the family. She has served as President and Vice President of the Association of Virginian Residents and on almost every resident committee in the past 11 years.

She continues to work at the “White Elephant,” a store on the grounds of the community that sells goods donated by residents. Of her work in the store, she says, “A lot of the things that people donate are so nice, that you find yourself wanting to buy them yourself.” She goes on to admit that there really is no room for new furniture because of all the dolls. She has no plans to move to again though-at least not yet.

As the apartment conversions at The Virginian continue, more and more individuals like Mrs. Park and George and Marion Craig will be able to create their ideal homes. There are plans currently underway for more two- and three-bedroom apartments.

The Virginian’s Executive Director, Chris Isherwood, explains the motivation behind these conversions: “People often ask who our biggest competition is and the answer is the family home. Many older residents in this area are living in spacious homes and have the means to stay there. By combining smaller apartments to provide larger living spaces, we can accommodate the needs of a younger, more active senior population.”

Prospective residents will not only be able to literally shape their living space but will also have the unique opportunity to “test drive” the community before moving in. The Virginian is currently focusing on their “Get Acquainted” Program, which affords potential residents the opportunity to live in a fully furnished guest apartment from a week to a few months at a time in order get a feel for life at the community. These short-term residents will enjoy all the services and amenities the community has to offer.

Undoubtedly, as these new, vibrant residents go from “test drivers” to full-time residents, the layouts at The Virginian will transform to meet their needs. George and Marion Craig and Fay Park can attest to the flexibility of both the staff and the floor plans in their community. They placed orders for custom-built retirement living spaces, and they got just what they wanted-including a little room to grow.

During the Nazi occupation of Holland, he and his comrades risked their lives hiding out in basements and maintaining contact with the Dutch government, which was exiled in London. After returning to the United States, Mr. Van der Zanden was promoted to Staff Sergeant in order to qualify for a position at the Pentagon. He was assigned to the Dutch Mission with the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

He says, “It’s very unusual for a Dutch boy to have received training at Camp Lejeune and then to have risen through the ranks to such a prestigious position. I’m really proud of that, and thankful for the opportunities I had.” Mr. Van der Zanden’s dedication to the American ideals of freedom and democracy was rewarded with a Certificate of Nomination from the U.S. Congress granting him an official membership to the American Legion.

When the war ended, Van der Zanden returned to his native Holland only to find it in shambles. He decided to come back to the U.S., and his first stop was the U.S. Employment office. Two days later, he was hired as an Administrative Officer by the International Cotton Advisory Committee. Mr. Van der Zanden became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1955 and continued to work for the Cotton Advisory. He retired after 32 years of service and embarked on a very different kind of career.

“Anywhere I could find ice, I was there,” says Mr. Van der Zanden of his career as a professional figure skater. He started skating as young man in Holland and received professional training in the U.S. after WWII. Mr. Van der Zanden went on to teach figure skating under the auspices of the United States Figure Skating Association at the University of Virginia and at several local rinks.

Teaching, he says, was “hard work, especially with the youngest age groups, but it was so much fun.” For his hard work and dedication to the sport, Mr. Van der Zanden received two President’s Sports Awards. After retiring, he managed three skating rings in Northern Virginia, and although he stopped skating several years ago, he is still interested and involved in the sport.

Having accomplished so much, Mr. Van der Zanden realized “around 82 or 83″ that it was time to truly retire and relax. He has not slowed down though. Mr. Van der Zanden still lives in the home he bought in 1965. Active and independent, he does all his own landscaping and home maintenance. In addition to his various other talents, Mr. Van der Zanden is also a skilled photographer and continues to enjoy his hobby. His favorite subjects are beautiful flowers.

Now an active member and participant at the Falls Church Senior Center, Mr. Van der Zanden enjoys playing cards and attending events. Most of all, he likes to chat with his peers and the staff at the center.

He admits, “I talk a lot at the senior center. People seem interested in my background, and I love telling them stories about having my bicycle stolen by the S.S. or training at Camp Lejeune and just watching their mouths fall open.” Mr. Van der Zanden goes to the senior center at least three times a week. “I’ve never been one to just stay at home, and it’s really nice that we are all so close. If I don’t show up, they all say, ‘Where is John?’”

John Van der Zanden is likely at the Falls Church Senior Center, but if you cannot find him there, check the nearest ice rink or WWII memorial. Reliving his remarkable experiences could keep him busy for days.

“I always knew I was going to be in some kind of helping profession.” This is how Mrs. Hofstein explains her work as the administrator of the first apartment house for mentally ill adults on Long Island. The aptly named Hofstein House is still in operation today. Hofstein House provides independent apartments to 50 mentally ill adults, allowing them to retain their independence while providing them with the convenience of a social worker on-site, who offers counseling and assistance with locating a job.

Establishing and operating this facility wasn’t Mrs. Hofstein’s first stint with serving the needy though; she left her home in London to become a part of a Jewish relief unit in Europe during WW II. After a training program, she spent two years in Europe: “We were sent to Europe where we went through Holland. We got to Rotterdam the day it was liberated and we worked in Rotterdam for a while and then we went to Bergen-Belsoen when it was liberated. I was the child welfare officer in charge of all the children in the camp. This involved taking care of 83 children from the concentrations camps, who were all orphans.” While her work in Europe was emotionally challenging, it was certainly rewarding to help these children who so desperately needed her. However, one of the most unexpected rewards of her time in Europe was the opportunity to meet her future husband, an American solider from New York.

At the end of the war, Mrs. Hofstein returned to the states with her husband and started a daycare center in Brooklyn, where she worked until she became the Mental Health Association Director in Nassau, a job she held for 25 years. She retired from the position, and left her work at Hofstein house 3 years ago at the age of 77, but she still visits frequently and is continually involved in the operation of the facility. Of the challenging nature of her work, Mrs. Hofstein relates, “We were responsible for several hundred mentally ill adults, which can certainly be stressful. But it’s work that needs to be done, so you do it; at the time you don’t think about the stress of it. I loved my work, and I missed it for a time when I retired.”

Mrs. Hofstein quickly learned that retirement would offer much-deserved opportunities to relax and enjoy herself. After initially looking into a facility in Long Island, Mrs. Hofstein really began to enjoy the idea of living in a retirement community: “I got caught up in the idea of not having to cook and clean. If you’re still able-bodied, and my husband and I were at the time, it’s easy to want to stay in your own home, but I think it’s important for people to look ahead and realize there’s going to come a time when they don’t want to cook anymore. The idea of going shopping or making dinner every night absolutely appalls me now.”

When Sadie and her husband discussed their potential move with their son, he suggested that they move to a life-care community in the Philadelphia area, so they would be closer to him. Although the couple initially resisted the idea, they visited communities in Philadelphia and liked Martins Run so much that they decided to make the move. For the Hofsteins, Martins Run really met all their criteria: “We wanted to be in a Jewish community, and this is, but it was really the sense of warmth we got from the people that convinced us this was the right place. There’s no question that the people who work here are warm and friendly, but it is essentially the other residents, who were so welcoming.”

In fact, the “O.K.” sign outside her door is a program that was devised by, and is entirely operated by, residents. Mrs. Hofstein explains, “You put out the sign anytime after 4 o’clock in the morning and one person on each corridor is responsible for picking up those signs and putting them back on your door. If they don’t see the signs, they call you or knock on your door. If there’s no reply, they will call the central office. They’ve found people who have fallen in the middle of the night. It’s a very useful system.” It also is a clear demonstration of the compassionate, communal atmosphere at Martins Run.

It is the benevolent conduct of the other residents that has helped Mrs. Hofstein through the past year. Unfortunately, a short time after their move, Mrs. Hofstein’s husband became ill and died suddenly. Throughout this challenging time, Mrs. Hofstein has managed to keep a positive attitude, partially due to the support she receives from other community members: “Considering my husband died relatively suddenly, it should have been a terrible year, but it hasn’t been. I mean, I have made friends here. The environment is conducive to making friends; there’s no question about that.”

Mrs. Hofstein and the other residents are able to easily make new friends because of the variety of programs offered at the community. She relates that she has always been a “participator:” “I go to many things. I like the music programs here, as well as the writing class. I also go line dancing. Of course, there are always community outings too-to the opera or the theater. This is an active place.” For a woman who has worked so hard, this stress-free lifestyle is still a novelty. “I only have to get up in the morning and say, ‘what shall I do today to amuse myself?,’ relates Mrs. Hofstein. Secure in the fact that she will be provided for should a need for care arise, Mrs. Hofstein is free to fully enjoy herself.

After providing for so many others in need, Sadie has finally settled into the new-found role of care recipient, one which she fits her quite nicely. In fact, she strongly recommends that others follow in her footsteps: “I’ve talked to a number of would-be residents who are my age and older and they’re always not ready. The truth is most of them are over-ripe. I often think people do leave their homes too late. It’s best if you come to a facility when you’re still able to enjoy what all it has to offer.” Not only did her move prove to be terrific decision for herself but also for her children. She admits, “Martins Run is great because I am not totally dependent on my son. That works for him too. I like that aspect of it. There’s a good feeling about not having to be dependent on your children.”

After devoting so much of her life to social and volunteer work, Mrs. Hofstein has been thrilled with the opportunity to make new friends and expand her busy social schedule at Martins Run. “You will find that the folks my age who live on the outside often have limited social lives. Once people make the move, very few of them are sorry. The bottom line for most people is: will they make friends here? The rest of it’s all garbage. It doesn’t matter really–the food, the housekeeping, etc. — it’s are you able to form relationships here. For most, the answer is ‘yes.’” Mrs. Hofstein has certainly developed strong bonds with her fellow residents and her social calendar is booked for weeks in advance, with classes, outings, discussion groups, and card games.

As the sign outside her door relates Mrs. Hofstein is certainly ‘o.k.,’ in fact she is flourishing in her new home, which has become a place to relax and reward herself for a lifetime of hard work and good deeds, a legacy which is represented by the nearby Hofstein House plaque.