Paving the Way to Community Living for Two Generations

Sequoia Living has been a trusted provider of community living for generations, offering older adults a vibrant and maintenance-free lifestyle. With four life plan communities—The Tamalpais Marin, Viamonte at Walnut Creek, The Sequoias San Francisco, and The Sequoias Portola Valley– residents can find a welcoming environment that supports independence and connection. For Gala Hammett Mowat, community living has been a family tradition. Inspired by her parents’ experience at The Tamalpais Marin, she and her husband chose Viamonte at Walnut Creek, continuing their legacy of embracing a dynamic and fulfilling retirement.

For two generations, Sequoia Living has been more than just a place to live. It has been home. Today, Gala Hammett Mowat and her husband continue that tradition, setting an example for their children about how aging can be a positive and fulfilling experience.

Gala was introduced to community living through her parents, who spent ten wonderful years together at The Tamalpais Marin in Northern California. After her father passed away, her mother continued living there for another ten years, already happily adjusted to the community. This experience reinforced her mother’s valuable lesson: “One day, there will be one of you.” She meant that planning ahead for the possibility of being alone is important. Because her parents moved together at a relatively young age, they had time to adjust, making it much easier for her mother to continue thriving independently.

Recognizing the wisdom in this approach, Gala and her husband followed the same model, not waiting until one of them was 85 and ill but instead making the move while they were still active and independent.

At 74, Gala and her husband, then 77, moved to Viamonte at Walnut Creek, continuing a family tradition of calling a Sequoia Living life plan community home. As a second-generation resident, Gala has found the same sense of connection and ease of living her parents experienced at The Tamalpais Marin.

One of the things she appreciates most about Viamonte is the simplicity it brings to daily life.

“No plumbers, tree trimmers, painters, cleaners, or carpenters to call—Viamonte does it all,” Gala shares. The maintenance-free lifestyle has not only enriched their lives but also reassured their children, who are grateful to know their parents are happy and living independently.

Beyond the convenience, the couple values the community itself most. Viamonte is large enough to build meaningful friendships but intimate enough to never feel like a crowd of strangers.

Like her parents, Gala and her husband have embraced community involvement, chairing committees and contributing in ways that make Viamonte feel even more like home.

“My parents had a similar lifestyle at The Tamalpais as we have developed here,” said Gala. “I used to hear my dad say, ‘There are 33 committees!’ He proudly led the Elevator Committee.”

Another crucial factor in their decision was ensuring the community they chose was nonprofit. Gala and her husband felt strongly that nonprofit governance focuses more on residents’ well-being rather than the bottom line while still being fiscally sound—something that was especially important to her husband. Knowing that Viamonte is backed by Sequoia Living, a well-run and committed organization, gives them peace of mind. 

For Gala and her husband, Viamonte isn’t just a place to live—it’s a continuation of a family legacy of engagement, purpose, and connection.

Gala encourages older adults to consider how they want to age before they get there. To her, community living isn’t just about convenience; it’s about choosing a supportive and enriching environment that allows people to age with dignity and peace of mind.

“Independence is what all the residents are looking for! That’s truly one of the reasons we moved in our mid-70s rather than waiting,” said Gala. “No one expects to become infirm or need extra care, but it happens—and a community like Viamonte provides incredible support through every stage.”

She also sees community living as an important example for future generations.

She shares, “If you decide this lifestyle is right for you, you may be setting a good example for your children.”

Gala believes that staying in the family home can become isolating, challenging, and uncertain for many. In contrast, Sequoia Living’s life plan communities in the Bay Area offer engagement and connection, providing as much confidence and certainty as possible in later years.

Now, as she enjoys a lifestyle that truly suits her, Gala hopes to inspire a third generation to consider community living when the time comes.

“Our children are so happy that we decided to move to Viamonte at Walnut Creek and embrace this lifestyle. Most importantly, they’re happy because we’re happy. In that way, we see it as a gift—not just for us, but for our three kids and seven grandchildren.”

Sequoia Living is more than a place to retire. It’s a legacy passed down through generations. Gala’s story is the first of many in our Legacy Families series, celebrating those who continue to find home, connection, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing they are part of a supportive community.

Experience community living for yourself; schedule a visit at one of our Bay Area locations below.