Sisters ‘doing it for themselves’

Laidley retirees and sister-in-laws, Elisabeth and Jan Maltry, are rarely lonely.

The Tabeel Retirement Village resident duo (pictured) spend every day together, often sharing conversations over a cup of tea.

Elisabeth, 75, and Jan, 73, having survived a divorce, running a business and enduring the road to recovery after Elisabeth’s broken back and two hip replacements – the duo still live side by side.

Elisabeth migrated from Germany in 1976 when Jan was married to her brother.

“She is a tower of strength. She’s always there to watch my back and is fiercely loyal. We never get lonely because we have companionship and someone to share our life with,” Jan says, reflecting on her friendship with Elisabeth.

Elisabeth agrees they have been each other’s “rocks”. “She’s never let me down and didn’t leave me when I was sick.”

The duo share many interests, including embarking on regular cruises to destinations such as Alaska and the Pacific Islands, water aerobics, reading and contributing to community events.

“We’ve learnt to be more tolerant of each other over time and accept our differences, also after several knockbacks, we learnt to appreciate life and maintain a balance,” Jan says.

Jan and Elisabeth love their retirement unit at Tabeel.

“I like the friendly atmosphere and regular get-togethers,” Elisabeth says. “We get invited to all the events at Tabeel like Christmas and Oktoberfest.”

Their next adventure is an upcoming cruise to New Zealand.

Tabeel Lutheran Home general manager, Roland Weier, says one of the benefits of close by residential aged care services was keeping families together.

“This is remarkable; these sister-in-laws share a unit at our retirement village and despite their different needs support each other through friendship and enjoy spending time together in their senior years,” he says.