Couple at The Carrollton Senior Living | Still Smitten After 64 Years In Love
February 6, 2024
For two years, he drove 600 miles every three or four weeks to visit his dream girl. “Initially, she thought I was coming from New York to see my brother, but it was really her I was coming to see,” said Dr. Michael Dolan of his trips 64 years ago to visit his future wife, Margaret. A Navy pilot at the time, Michael was smitten by the Navy nurse who he met while he was a patient at Bethesda Hospital. He ran into her on the way to the chapel there and recalls, “I thought ‘by God. One of the nurses I’ve seen is going into the chapel too’. Hot dog!” He added, “I thought she was beautiful and had great eyes.” They started dating, albeit long-distance when he moved to New York.
Margaret is now 86 years old, and Michael is 89. Michael remains equally as smitten after having been happily married for 62 years. The couple who have been residents of New Orleans for 38 years, lives at The Carrollton of New Orleans. The premier senior living community offers assisted living and memory care.
While serving as a Navy pilot, Mike decided to attend medical school, and became a medical doctor. During that time, he worked as a physician for the Navy, was a pilot and then an occupational physician for IBM and became the medical director at the NASA facility in New Orleans. From 1981-1985 Michael worked as an attending physician for Congress during Ronald Reagan’s presidency.
Margaret taught nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by the University of California in San Francisco. The couple has three children and six grandchildren.
Margaret and Michael attribute their long and happy marriage to “a lot of love and a lot of patience,” said Margaret. “We don’t argue, we almost never disagree, and when we do, we don’t fight.”
“If we disagree, we’ve always had a rule that if what you’re saying isn’t going to make things better or will make things worse, just don’t say it,” Michael said.
Michael and Margaret love The Carrollton. “It’s a very nice place. It’s open and architecturally thought-out. But the best thing is the staff. It’s the nicest staff I’ve ever run into. Every single person is nice,” Michael said, adding there are many enjoyable activities available to the residents. “Everything they think of is fun.”
The couple lives in assisted living at The Carrollton. There, Margaret is able to maintain her independence while receiving the care and support she needs. Michael is independent and could have remained living in their nearby home they still own. “He’s living with me in assisted living. He’s doing that for me. He stays with me to help me and encourage me and be with me,” she said.
Sixty-four years after making 600-mile trips to see her, Michael is still wanting to be at Margaret’s side. “She here, and I’m here. I want to be with her.”
The Carrollton
The Carrollton is a premier senior living community located on a beautiful restored historical landmark in New Orleans. It is close to all of the dining, cultural offerings, and recreational venues that the city has to offer. The community offers assisted living and memory care services in studio and one-bedroom apartments. Residents have access to a range of on-site amenities. These include restaurant-style dining, events, activities and more. The Carrollton is owned and operated by Liberty Senior Living, LLC. This is a division of Liberty Healthcare Management. Their business model specializes in senior living and retirement communities. To learn more about The Carrolton, visit www.TheCarrollton.com. To learn more about Liberty Senior Living and the communities they offer, please visit www.LibertySeniorLiving.com.