Meet Lois Selnau of Middlewoods of Farmington

Lois Selnau

Mother, Educator, Historian

Lois Brigham was born in Burlington, Vermont, where she spent her most of her youth until attending the prestigious Middlebury College to study Nutrition Science. A proud graduate of the class of 1946, she has served as the Class Agent from 1996 to the present, strengthening alumni ties. After an internship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Dietetics, she worked at the Veteran’s Administration in Connecticut in 1948, tending to the dietary needs of veterans. It was shortly thereafter she met and married her husband Elmer Selnau in 1953. The couple settled in Farmington and raised their two sons, Paul and Clark. Lois now resides at the UMH award-winning senior living community, Middlewoods of Farmington, enjoying the many activities and opportunities the community has to offer.

The Selnau family regularly attended services at Bethany Lutheran Church in West Hartford where Lois chaired the Board of Christian Education and taught confirmation classes. When her youngest son began kindergarten, Lois returned to work as a part-time Registered Dietitian. After a term with the Hartford Hospital, she transitioned to Morton Frozen Foods developing school lunch programs. This unique job inspired Lois to pursue a position with the State Department of Education where she achieved her greatest influence serving as the State Coordinator of the Nutrition Education and Training Program. She oversaw nutrition education in public and private schools throughout the state. Lois had a favorite demonstration to show students; dropping a tooth into a glass of Coca-Cola to witness the deteriorating effects…Food for thought for the soda drinkers among us!

 Lois also has a keen interest in family genealogy. This knowledge has qualified her for a membership in two national historic organizations; Daughter’s of the American Revolution and Descendants of George Washington’s Army at Valley Forge. She can often be found at Middlewoods of Farmington discussing family tree history with friends and neighbors. Impressively, she served as Registrar of the Hartford chapter and through her genealogy work, has recruited over twenty members over the years! Following in her footsteps, her oldest son Paul serves as the current Secretary to the Connecticut chapter Son’s of the American Revolution.

Lois came to Middlewoods in 2014 after deciding it was time to make the move to assisted living. She says, “I can happily say I did the right thing to leave my home of 57 years on the advice of my physician who wanted me to relocate BEFORE a crisis developed.” Many aging adults wait too long to make the move to senior living and then, due to various reasons, are unable to ever make the transition. Lois, however, stayed proactive and is now thriving in her home at Middlewoods.

Lois actively participates in community activities, is a member of the Resident Council and frequently attends the many out-trips Middlewoods of Farmington organizes. She often has lunch with prospective residents who have questions about the community and checks in on new residents, making sure they are settling into their new home. Lois explains, “this is home, and I feel safe, well cared for and find purpose in my daily life in interacting with others.” We are lucky to have Lois as part of our Middlewood’s family, as her energy, involvement and contagious positivity radiates throughout the community. Be sure to stop by for a visit at Middlewoods to get to know Lois better and meet our other residents!