As We Celebrate Our Anniversary Weekend, We Reflect on Where Our Story Began

As Paradise Pointe enters a meaningful anniversary weekend, we pause to reflect on the moments that shaped who we are today—the journey, the people, and the purpose that brought our community to life.

This weekend marks two important milestones in Paradise Pointe’s history: the anniversary of receiving our state license to open and the day we welcomed our very first resident. These dates represent more than operational achievements; they mark the beginning of a deeply personal story rooted in family, faith, and a commitment to better senior living in Ormond Beach.

A Vision Born From Family and Experience

Paradise Pointe was founded by Darlinda Copeland, RN, MHA, our CEO and founder, whose vision grew from both professional expertise and personal experience. With more than 35 years in healthcare, including serving as a hospital executive, Darlinda understood what quality, compassionate care should look like.

But like so many families, her journey became personal when she began searching for assisted living options for her own parents, Don and Barbara Gammon. As a nurse and a daughter, she found herself asking difficult questions—and realizing that the available options did not meet her expectations for dignity, clinical excellence, or quality of life.

Recognizing a Need in Our Community

Instead of accepting the status quo, Darlinda began having conversations with local physicians, healthcare professionals, and community leaders. These discussions revealed a shared belief: Ormond Beach needed better senior living options—locally rooted, clinically strong, and centered on the individual.

From those conversations, an idea took shape. A community designed with intention. A place where residents could age in place with confidence, surrounded by thoughtful care and meaningful connection.

Walking the Land, Dreaming of What Could Be

Once the vision became reality and the land was purchased, Darlinda had the opportunity to walk the property with her father, Don. At the time, the site was nothing more than a field of trees and nature.

Don never saw the building constructed or the doors officially open—but he saw the beginning. What was once open land is now a beautiful community still surrounded by trees and nature, a place many proudly call home.

The Beginning of Our Doors—and Our Legacy

On February 14, 2023, Paradise Pointe received its state license to open. One day later, on February 15, 2023, the community welcomed its very first resident—Barbara Gammon, Darlinda’s mother.

Barbara called Paradise Pointe home for two wonderful years. While she has since passed away, her presence remains part of our story and our heart. Her journey helped shape the way Paradise Pointe cares for every resident—with dignity, compassion, and purpose.

Proudly Local, Built on Legacy

Paradise Pointe is proudly locally owned and operated, created by people who live and serve right here in Ormond Beach. Our history, our leadership, and our mission are deeply tied to this community.

As we celebrate this anniversary weekend, we honor the journey that brought us here—the family that inspired it, the community that believed in it, and the residents who continue to make Paradise Pointe a place of elevated living.

This weekend, we celebrate more than milestones. We celebrate a story still being written—together.