meet some residents

ben & suzanne duffey

One of the best things about life at The Village is how interesting our residents are. Everyone has a story to tell, so there’s no shortage of lively conversation around the community. Take Ben and Suzanne Duffey, who have been in our Independent Living neighborhood since 2009.

A Richmond native and University of Richmond graduate, Ben served in the Air Force during the Korean War, and then remained in the Air Force Reserve and National Guard until retirement. Meanwhile, he attended seminary in the late 1950s and spent his civilian years as an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. This career brought him to Franklin, where he was the rector in the local church. Suzanne was born in Norfolk, graduated from Mary Baldwin College, and spent her career as a teacher in both private and public schools. The couple married in 1977 and have lived together in Franklin ever since.

When they were looking for a senior living retirement community, they knew they loved the town where they’d made their home, and The Village offered area seniors first-rate amenities and activities. It was an easy choice to move into an Independent Living apartment, and the Duffey's have enjoyed the vibrant lifestyle of The Village for more than a decade now, from concerts on the lawn to day trips around the region.

When the coronavirus hit in 2020, The Village shifted its primary focus to safety and providing both residents and their families peace of mind during the crisis. The Duffey's said they appreciated all that the staff has done to keep everyone safe while still maintaining a sense of good cheer and community engagement. “The staff is truly outstanding,”said Ben. “I don’t know how they do it, but they know everybody’s name, and they all go out of the way to make sure we have everything we need. They are first class all the way.”

Suzanne cited the maintenance-free amenities as an example of the many benefits offered at The Village. She said everyone refers to Environmental Services Director Thomas Brown as “Saint Thomas” for all he does for residents. “The staff all just go out of their way, not because they have to but because they want to, and it makes a big difference,” she said.