Devonshire Community Members Say 'I Do'

When Patricia Cates moved to Devonshire, an Erickson Senior Living community at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., in 2021, the last thing she expected was to fall in love. 

"I had been widowed for eight years and was living alone in a big house in Fort Lauderdale, [Fla.,]" she recalls. "My sister, who lives at Ann's Choice, an Erickson Senior Living community in Bucks County, Pa., is very happy and suggested I check out Devonshire." 

She continues, "I was ready for company and a community of friends, so I agreed. I really liked everything about the community and made an immediate decision to move." 

A little over a year later, Bill Bousquette, widowed after being married for 66 years, also began considering a move to Devonshire. 

"I wanted to leave our house in Jupiter, Fla., with all the responsibilities and memories," he says. "My son Kevin spoke with an executive of the Cleveland Clinic in Stuart, Fla., where he lives. He gave him the names of three experts in geriatric living. He talked with each one and all three recommended Devonshire."

"I took their advice and have never regretted my decision," adds Bill. He and Patricia married just two years later. 

Crossing paths

Bill recalls seeing Patricia for the first time during his initial tour of Devonshire. 

"She simply walked by, and I thought she looked friendly," he says. "We didn't meet that day, but she stood out to me."

Several weeks after Bill's July 2022 move, he accepted an invitation to cheer on the members of Devonshire's Sew and Sew knitting group.

"All of the women were asking me questions and introducing themselves--except one woman. She was more interested in her knitting," he recalls, with a laugh. "But I recognized immediately that she was the same woman I noticed on my first visit."

Learning her name from the members of the club, Bill called Patricia, inviting her to join him for dinner at the community. 

"She accepted the invitation to join me and a friend for dinner," says Bill. "We decided to start with drinks in the lounge before our reservation. When we were called to our table, I wanted to be a gentleman and picked up Patricia's drink and carried it to the table. Unfortunately, I placed the drink down on an uneven part of the table and it fell right into her lap."

Fate steps in

But, as fate would have it, the misstep led to a fortuitous result. 

"Bill was so sweet, trying to help me clean up," says Patricia. "We've been together ever since. I can't say enough about Bill. He charmed me immediately. We just hit it off." 

She adds, "One thing led to the other, and we fell in love and decided to put our lives together. Bill is a beautiful person."

"I knew early on that I wanted to marry Patricia," says Bill. "She is such a beautiful and loving person. I just felt so great every time I was in her company. From the first kiss, I knew this was the woman for me, for the rest of my life."

Wedding bells ring

Last year, the couple began to plan their wedding and a move from their respective residences to a new one together at Devonshire. 

"Donna [Schneider, sales director,] and her team were very helpful in making the move happen for us," says Patricia. 

Surrounded by family, the couple were married on April 20, 2024.

"I asked the pastor if I was the oldest groom he's married, and he said no. That made me feel young," says Bill, with a laugh. 

Two days after the ceremony, the newlyweds hosted their Devonshire friends in the campus lounge for a celebration complete with wedding cake, and an open bar.   

"We decided to keep our bouquet and garter to throw at our Devonshire party," says Patricia. "I threw it to a neighbor who's never been married."

It's a wonderful life

Looking forward to celebrating their first anniversary later this year, Patricia and Bill are taking advantage of Devonshire's many activities--together. 

"We play billiards together several times a week," says Patricia. "We also enjoy getting our exercise by walking, either around campus or inside during the summer. Our lives are so busy. The activities available to us are wonderful. When we go to church together on Saturdays, we always find ourselves asking, 'Where did the week go?' There are so many reasons to love living at Devonshire. We are both very, very happy in every way."

To learn more about independent senior living at Devonshire, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.