After nearly 23 years of service, on March 29, 2025, Pam Murphy is retiring as General Manager of Magnolia Gardens. Pam’s leadership was instrumental in establishing Magnolia Gardens as one of Langley’s first independent living communities. From humble beginnings to a thriving community filled with life, friendship, and fun, Pam helped shape Magnolia Gardens—and Bria Communities—by listening deeply to residents and delivering what truly matters. In this video she reflects on the history of Magnolia Gardens, her leadership philosophy, whether or not there are ghosts in the building, and more.

My name is Pam Murphy, I’m the General Manager of Magnolia Gardens. Before I came here as the marketer, I was selling real estate for Century Group on a phased development. It was a 10-phase development called ‘The Meadows’, which is basically directly behind Magnolia Gardens.

The Genesis of Magnolia Gardens

One day, I was in the display center, and an older gentleman came in. He was speaking to me about the fact that a lot of these people who develop properties cater to young and first-time home buyers, and nobody thinks about seniors and their needs. We had a very interesting one-hour conversation about that fact.

And as a result of that, I thought that he should probably speak to the president of our company just to see if there was any kind of a fit that we could develop through that. And lo and behold, there was a fit. And as a result of their conversation, Magnolia Gardens became the 10th phase of that large development and we decided to open a seniors’ community here.

Before we decided to build Magnolia Gardens, there was very little in Langley for seniors. In fact, Magnolia Gardens was one of the first two that opened, and we opened with another community within a couple of months of each other. At that time, there were no other independent living communities in Langley, so we were sort of groundbreaking. It was very exciting at the time.

A Journey of Listening & Learning

Because Magnolia Gardens was the first of, there are now four Bria Communities, but we were the first. [I think back in those days we didn’t really know what we were doing. So the way we developed how we operate is we talked to the residents and asked them what they want. If you ask residents what they want and then listen to their answers, they’re very open and honest about what they want. So we were we were compelled to give them what they asked for, and one of the biggest comments we get is that this building feels different when people walk in, and in fact, all BriaCommunities they say feel different, and I think that’s because we’re not we’re only giving the residents what they want or trying to every day so it it does make a difference and people notice it.

I think when residents decide to move into Magnolia Gardens, they come here because they want a certain lifestyle and, maybe the activities and the you know the things we do have changed over the years, but making seniors feel like part of a community, that hasn’t changed. And it hasn’t changed for them either. I don’t think they just they just really enjoy the lifestyle and the quality of life is so much better.

Sizzling Summer Parties

When I think back over my time here one of the things that stands out for me is our summer party that we have with the residents and their families. It’s just a a time for residents to invite their families to come here and party with them and we provide live entertainment and a BBQ lunch and then we do the out in the front parking lot. It’s really funny because when cars drive by and they see everything that’s going on with a rock band or something playing out front, they can’t believe this is a seniors’ community.

We’ve actually had people drive in and say, ‘What’s going on here, and what is this place?’ And they’re absolutely astounded by what we’re doing. Over the years, we’ve had a dunk tank in the front, which I got into, I might add, and uh, residents love dunking me.

The staff all wear costumes, and some of the residents dress up as well. And we put on this great party for them every summer. I really enjoy that. I’ve been the Queen of England, I’ve been a punk rocker, I’ve been…it’s it’s wild. And um, we all really enjoy doing those summer parties for the residents, and they really enjoy it as well.

Favourite Moments

Some of my favourite moments involve residents who either came in here kicking and screaming because their families wanted them to be here, but they didn’t want to. And those who know me know I’m quite a competitive person, so when those residents move in I’m very very motivated to make them happy and be glad that they’re here. There are so many, I mean, there have been so many wonderful people live here in the 23 years I’ve been here; they all touch my heart.

I think most of our business comes from referrals, and it’s really funny because I now have sons and daughters of residents who lived here 20 years ago who are now moving into Magnolia Gardens. And, you know, they’ll come to me and say ‘My mother used to live here.’  And right away, I remember who they are. It’s really cool to see second generation coming through the doors.

Leading A Terrific Team

I think another part of our success is the great staff we have here. We have my Executive Chef has been here for 21 years. Several of the staff in the Care Center have been here since the building opened or the Care Center opened. I think when people work in a community like this it becomes not just a job, but it becomes part of their heart. So I get compliments all the time about what a great staff I have and how caring they are for the residents. Which makes me proud, because that’s why we’re all here.

Although the landscape of senior living is changing and you know buildings are becoming more and more elaborate and offering more and more amenities, I still think that when residents come through the door they’re looking for a secure place where they can be happy, have friendships, and live with like-minded people who share their interests and their woes, you know. I think we all believe that we want our residents to come in here and actually live as opposed to coming in here and waiting to die. I really, really want them to have great quality of life and a lot of fun at this stage of their life. And we try to do that every day.

Ghosts in the Gardens?

People have asked me over the years if there’s a ghost in the building. I believe there’s a lot of ghosts in the building. I think that when residents live here, I’ve had residents who’ve lived here for 18, 19, 20 years; they don’t go away just because they go away. I think they’re I think they’re still with us, whether it’s just in our hearts.n But it’s it to me, um it’s quite possible there’s some ghosts in the building. We’ve strange things happen.

Advice From An Expert

If I was going to leave some words of wisdom to those coming after me one thing I would say is, to talk to your residents and listen to what they have to say.

We have some very intelligent people who live here. We have a lot of residents who are willing to share their talents, to share their ideas and to share their feedback. And if you ask, they’re very willing to give it to you. And over the past 22 and almost 23 years, that’s been my motto. I ask them what they think, and then I try to give them what they want.

And I think that’s made us very successful, and I think it’ll continue to do so in the future.