When longtime Cincinnati residents Doloris and Bill Learmonth moved to Deupree House, their lifestyle didn’t slow down in retirement—it expanded. From successful careers to lifelong interests in fitness, learning, and community, the couple lives with purpose and passion. In retirement, the only thing that’s slowed down is the daily stress. Now, they have more time to focus on what they love most—whether that’s exercise, attending lectures, or simply enjoying the company of friends.

Aging Well Together

The Learmonths inspire each other to live life to the fullest every day. “She’s my greatest cheerleader,” Bill said with a smile.

Bill’s dedication to competitive sports is clear the moment you step into the couple’s home office at Deupree House, where his wall of medals and trophies tells the story. From Little League baseball to high school football, basketball and track, his love of movement started early, continued during his working years, and now into his retirement. 

During his mid-50’s, Bill Learmonth began competing in swimming meets with other men his age. He is now 86 and competes in the 85-89 age group in many national and international swim meets. In the past year he has competed and won at the National Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa, the U.S. Masters Swimming National Championship in San Antonio, Texas, and the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah.

“Competing with others in my age group makes me feel youthful again,” said Bill. “Having Deupree’s indoor pool and fitness equipment whenever I need them helps me stay on track with my goals year-round.”

Doloris is passionate about fitness, too. For the past 25 years, working out has been part of her routine. “The fitness and balance classes here are excellent additions to things I was already doing to stay healthy in the aging process,” she explained. Deupree also offers various group classes like yoga, water aerobics, and Tai Chi.

At Deupree House, every resident defines their own version of a win. For some, it’s crossing a finish line. For others, it’s learning a new hobby, a walk in the garden, or simply the joy and peace of mind that comes with having friends, staff members, and the right resources to support them throughout their aging journey.

Defining the Real Win

For Bill and Doloris, the real win isn’t measured in medals or milestones—it’s the ability to keep living strong, together. At Deupree House, they have the support they need to enjoy the routines and passions that matter most to them.

“We have absolutely no excuse for not staying in decent shape,” said Bill. “And in good health, which is the real objective for us,” added Doloris.

“Deupree House provides everything we need to keep moving forward,” Bill shared. With so many helpful amenities on one campus, the tools and support to age well are always within reach.

“That's why we're so glad we came to Deupree. We think the support that we get here is only going to help both of us continue on this journey,” said Doloris. Between the fitness classes, indoor pool, social gatherings, and engaging events, Deupree House offers opportunities that appeal to every interest and lifestyle.

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A Place to Grow

Not every resident is into fitness, and that’s the beauty of Deupree House. From group outings to stimulating presentations, book clubs, social meals, and lifelong friendships, the community offers ways to stay engaged that go far beyond physical activity.

The chance to keep learning and discovering is just as important as staying physically active. After meaningful careers, flexing the mind hasn’t stopped in retirement for the Learmonths. Bill, who once analyzed trends as a market research manager at P&G, and Doloris, who broke barriers as president of the Cincinnati Bar Association and the first woman to lead a major Cincinnati law firm, now channel that same intellectual curiosity into their life at Deupree.

Together, they attend jazz concerts, lectures on American history, and other events on Deupree’s rotating activities calendar, which includes experiences that echo their lifelong love of ideas, culture, and discovery. “It’s really wonderful how it’s opened vistas to things we were already interested in,” said Doloris. These opportunities allow them to deepen long-standing passions while uncovering new ones along the way. Beyond the enrichment, the activities also foster a strong sense of community. Deupree residents gather often for group activities and events. “One of the big bonuses of living here is that you have a ready-made community, and yet there's so much to discover,” Doloris explained. “There are a lot of interesting people who live at Deupree, so it broadens your horizons.”

Deupree House offers numerous opportunities to socialize and connect. Many residents find that food naturally brings people together. “During meals in the dining rooms, we try to sit at one of the community tables as much as possible,” Doloris shared. These shared meals often spark conversations and new friendships. “That's a way to get to meet other people,” she added.

More Time for What You Love

Life at Deupree is filled with wins of all kinds for Doloris and Bill. With daily chores off their plate, they can spend their retirement doing what they enjoy. “Our days have become more simplified,” said Doloris. “They are easier to plan, so our stress level has decreased.”

Thanks to a dedicated team, tasks such as cleaning and maintenance are taken care of. “We expected the staff to be nice, and they exceeded our expectations,” Doloris added. With fewer day-to-day household responsibilities, Doloris and Bill have the freedom to focus on a different kind of goal—living strong and aging well.

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Embracing a New Chapter

Both Doloris and Bill agree that moving to Deupree House sooner rather than later was important so that they could enjoy everything the community has to offer. “We wanted to get in while we were both healthy and able to take on the challenge of moving, with energy left to meet all the wonderful people here,” said Doloris.

“We had many friends already living here, and they all had great things to say about it,” said Bill. One of the best things about life at Deupree House is that it’s as much or as little as you want it to be. Retirement is personal. Whether you prefer a full calendar of fitness and events, quiet afternoons with a book, or lively conversations over dinner, you’ll find the support and freedom to enjoy it in a way that’s meaningful for you.

Never Too Late For a Win

For Bill and Doloris, moving to Deupree House allowed them more time for passions, such as life-long learning, swimming, and music concerts. Choosing an independent living community can open the door to new possibilities for wellness and provide the steady support needed to help you live the life you love.

The Learmonths are proof that focusing on strength and wellness can lead to extraordinary achievements at any age. “It’s never too late,” they said in unison. “You have to keep moving, because standing still is just going backward,” Doloris added. With the right support, the freedom to follow your passions, and a community that keeps you living strong—every day at Deupree House feels like a win.

Want to learn more about Deupree House? Download our How to Choose a Community Guide to discover what your next chapter could look like.