Santosh Joshi has traveled all over the world, and she brings that same enthusiasm for living to her life at Pomperaug Woods. “You will never find me in my apartment,” said Santosh. “I’m always out having fun joining in on the activities. I’m the busiest person at Pomperaug Woods!”

Santosh’s parents were from India, but they lived in East Africa, and that’s where Santosh was born. She eventually became a primary school teacher and taught in East Africa for 15 years. On a trip to India, she met the man who became her husband, and a few years after they married, they moved to the United States to start their new life together. They had three sons while her husband got his PhD from Ohio State University. During those five years, Santosh worked in the Ohio State University chemistry department. Their family later moved to Maryland, where her husband worked as a Professor of Research at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore and Santosh joined the Maryland State Assessment Taxation Department where she worked for almost 40 years. Her husband’s passion was soybean research, and he eventually held five patents in that specialty. Her husband’s groundbreaking research led to opportunities for them to travel the world together. Her husband taught communities struggling with food insecurity how to grow soybeans. “We traveled to many different countries,” said Santosh. “My husband’s research made a real difference in people’s lives.”

When her husband passed away three years ago, Santosh moved to Connecticut to live near her two sons and her five grandchildren. “We chose Pomperaug Woods because the staff is so helpful and friendly here,” said Santosh. “I go on day trips. I take art classes. I enjoy the many concerts. I take all the exercise classes and walk a mile every day on the new walking paths around the campus. The new landscaping is just beautiful. It feels like heaven to me.”

Since there is no Indian temple nearby, Santosh made a small alter in her apartment where she says her prayers and reads The Gita, her holy book. “I am the only Indian at Pomperaug Woods, but I never feel out of place. Everyone is very welcoming here,” said Santosh. “Kindness is the culture at Pomperaug Woods, so I always feel respected and supported. I truly feel at peace here. One meaning of the Hindu word ‘Namaste’ expresses gratitude for assistance and thanks for kindness. Here, the friendliness is unmatched, and I receive such kindness from the staff and fellow residents so I can happily say ‘Namaste’ to everyone.”