Vilma Anderiesz’s dedication to enhancing the natural beauty of a seaside retirement community has garnered praise from both the management and residents of ‘La Serena,’ a beachfront retirement resort located in Uswetakeiyawa.
Since her arrival as a resident three and a half years ago, Mrs. Anderiesz has revitalized the gardens and green areas of the three-acre resort, transforming them into a vibrant display of color. Despite challenges posed by salty breezes and sandy soil, she has successfully cultivated a diverse array of flowering plants and greenery that continue to bring joy to residents and guests.
Her commitment to this endeavor was recently acknowledged with a plaque of appreciation awarded by Mr. Devaan Cooray, Director of Serene Resorts Limited, the company that manages the resort.
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Having spent four decades as a secretary to a distinguished business figure, Mrs. Anderiesz admits that she had little time for gardening in her earlier years. Nevertheless, she carried with her the lasting inspiration of her mother, a passionate gardener.
“I moved here about five years after my mother passed away, and it occurred to me that she would have wanted a garden to flourish here,” she reflects. Beginning with a patch of wild purple orchids she stumbled upon on the property, Mrs. Anderiesz, who once enjoyed fishing, discovered a new passion in gardening.
Now, with the assistance of a helper she describes as having “green thumbs,” she has developed several thriving garden areas filled with orchids, multi-colored hybrid hibiscus, bougainvillea, lilies, and pride of Japan, enriching the environment for La Serena’s 30 residents with vibrant colors and pleasant scents.
“My mother used to say that God created the garden before Adam and Eve, and that we feel closest to God in the garden,” she shares. “It’s a lot of work, but I have support, and it keeps me constructively engaged.”
A living embodiment of La Serena’s ethos of independent, active, and fulfilling retirement, the 77-year-old also engages in various other activities. She enjoys baking in her apartment, assists with children’s Mass readings at the nearby St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, and has attempted to teach spoken English to Sunday school teachers to help them better aid their students.
Designed as a beachfront retirement community just north of Colombo, La Serena combines the privacy of individual living spaces with the advantages of communal areas. Residents benefit from thoughtfully curated amenities, including a swimming pool, library, reading room, common lounge, mini-gym, and jogging path, all promoting an active and socially connected lifestyle.
Each residence is crafted for comfort and practicality, featuring private living and dining areas, kitchenettes, en-suite bathrooms, and modern connectivity options. Additional services such as dining, housekeeping, laundry, and 24-hour security further enhance the living experience.
La Serena also provides adaptable assisted living solutions to meet changing needs, ranging from mobility-friendly modifications to dedicated live-in assistance, ensuring that residents maintain their dignity, independence, and peace of mind.
Photo caption: Mr. Devaan Cooray, Director of Serene Resorts, awards the plaque of appreciation to Mrs. Vilma Anderiesz.
