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Belinda Gonzalez

Met at: Phone call, later met at First Watch on 466 in Wildwood Met date: 2025-03-17 Role(s): Resident of The Villages (5 years) Last interaction: 2025-03-18 (Breakfast at First Watch)

Contact Information​

  • Phone: [Not captured in transcript]
  • Lives in: Brownwood area

Interests​

  • Dancing (Zumba)
  • Swimming
  • Rebounding (trampolining)
  • Social activities
  • Travel (visits Texas every ~3 months, takes grandchildren on graduation trips)

Health Context​

  • Had both hips replaced (first one 4 years ago, second one 2 years ago)
  • Still recovering and avoiding high-impact activities
  • 71 years old but says she feels younger
  • Healthy lifestyle - watches what she eats, no red meat

Personal Background​

  • Originally from Divine, Texas (lived there since birth)
  • Widowed after 44 years of marriage (husband passed from lung cancer 9 years ago)
  • Husband was a lineman, described as "never met a stranger"
  • Stayed in Texas for 4 years after husband's death, then moved to The Villages
  • Had a 4-bedroom home on an acre of property in Texas that became too difficult to maintain
  • Former social services director at a hospital
  • Learned about The Villages through her son's in-laws
  • Moving to The Villages was part of her healing process after losing her husband
  • Travels back to Texas frequently for medical care and to visit family
  • Has a boyfriend she met at a local bar in The Villages
  • Cared for a friend with dementia for about 4 years (lost her in October)
  • Sees The Villages as transitional, plans to eventually move back to Texas (Bernie area) to be closer to family as she ages
  • Has discussed with her daughter that she will help care for her when she's older

Family​

  • Sons who live in Austin area (one works for NetGear)
  • Daughter who will eventually care for her (interested in holistic health, worked in mental health for 25 years)
  • Grandchildren:
    • Bella (college age, doing an internship in Spain)
    • Diego (17 years old, graduating high school)
    • Alison
    • A 4-year-old granddaughter (whose birthday she's going to Texas for)
  • Takes grandchildren on special graduation trips
  • Son Jeff and his wife hiked to Mount Everest in Nepal before they got married
  • Family seems to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking

Living Situation​

  • Lives in Brownwood area
  • Has a 3-bedroom, 2-bath home
  • Occasionally rents out her home when traveling
  • Has neighbors who help each other (watch plants when away, share food)

Notes​

  • Very sociable and active despite health challenges
  • Balances time between Villages life and visiting family in Texas
  • Seems to have found a new sense of purpose in The Villages
  • Willing to be a guide/connection to other residents
  • Has a strong spiritual life (Catholic)
  • Very family-oriented, but understands her children and grandchildren have their own lives
  • Generous with neighbors (shares food, looks out for others)
  • Plans to attend Gary's AI boot camp graduation
  • Agreed to start a biographical recording process

Interaction History​

  • 2025-03-17: Initial phone call, arranged to meet at First Watch restaurant the following day
  • 2025-03-18: Met at First Watch at 9am for breakfast, had in-depth conversation about life in The Villages
  • 2025-03-19: [Planned] Meeting at Belinda's home at 12:30pm to begin biographical recording
  • 2025-03-26: [Planned] Belinda to attend Gary's AI boot camp graduation in Austin

Transcripts​

Transcript IDDateSummary

| 2025-03-21-villages-concierge-business-idea | 2025-03-21 | Business Idea Discussion: The Villages Concierge |