I had a chance to catch up with an old friend, Barbara Dooley from Athens, Georgia, on her recent Canyon Ranch visit. Barbara has been coming to the Ranch since the 80s, which is when I first met her. She started by bringing small groups of friends – and over the years the size of her groups grew as word-of- mouth spread. (These were the days before social media, when you picked up the phone, called your girlfriend and said, “I just had the most fabulous trip and next year you’re coming with me. Period.”)
Barbara is one of the most charismatic women I know and I can’t imagine anyone saying “no” to her – whether she’s reaching out for a fundraising cause or coming to Canyon Ranch. One year, Barbara couldn’t make the trip, so her husband Vince escorted the ladies and they had a ball! Barbara has now turned the group lead over to her daughter Deanna Cook, and Deanna brought her daughter this trip, so we hosted three generations of Dooley women! This generational “relinquishing of the reins” is not uncommon when it comes to groups.
Another wonderful friend, Sara Martineau, will be here later this month with her husband and some of their Dallas friends. Sara is active in Crystal Charity Ball and has helped raise a substantial amount of money for that very worthwhile organization. Sara is a long-time Ranch loyalist and has also brought her children and their spouses too. Sara most definitely embraces a healthy lifestyle and, believe me, it shows!
What a privilege it has been to get to know women like Barbara and Sara during their trips to the Ranch.
Until next time,
Roxanne Housley
Vice President of Sales & Marketing