BOLD Realtor Helps Couple Discover New Chapter In Governor Club

When you step into Lloyd and Kathy Otterman’s Governors Club home, the first thing you notice is the light. Walls of windows bring the outdoors in, framing tall trees so vividly it feels as though the house itself lives in the forest. Then, as you look closer, you see the details: French pottery with centuries of history, paintings with personal stories attached, and the warmth of a home that feels both elegant and deeply lived-in.

The Ottermans moved to Governors Club just a few months ago, guided here by family. Kathy’s sister, Gloria, had already settled in the neighborhood, and when a promising listing came up, Gloria previewed it for them. With the help of realtor Dana Harshaw with BOLD Real Estate, Lloyd and Kathy purchased the home sight unseen, a leap of faith they say was well worth it. “We bought this house without visiting it and have not regretted our choice,” Kathy says. “Dana has been an incredible resource to us through our move here.”

It was not the first bold leap the couple has taken together. After retiring relatively young, they embarked on what would become one of the most defining chapters of their lives: buying and restoring a 200-year-old stone farmhouse in France’s Luberon Valley. For two decades, they spent nearly half the year there, planting 9,000 lavender plants, harvesting the fragrant crop, and bottling oil at the village distillery with labels Kathy designed. The farmhouse even came with a story: Roc de l’Amant, or “Rock of the Lover,” so named because, according to village lore, a nobleman tunneled from the château to visit his beloved who lived in the house.

Their time in France wasn’t just about lavender fields. The Ottermans became collectors, often driving hours to villages known for their artisans. Kathy especially loves the pottery of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, hand-painted faïence that requires years of apprenticeship. Their shelves are filled with delicate floral pieces, each one a link back to their life abroad. And then there is their art: the very first painting they bought together more than 45 years ago was at a charity event in New Jersey. The event featured walls of artwork, so they split up to browse on their own. When they reconvened, each confessed to finding only one piece they truly wanted to live with. It was the same painting. That canvas still hangs in their home, and it remains one of their favorites.

The French chapter followed already impressive careers. Kathy worked her way up at IBM before becoming head of human resources and operations at Associated Merchandising, overseeing offices in 20 countries. Lloyd began in education but pivoted to media, first as an editor on The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau and later as president of a CBS division producing children’s films and documentaries. From there, he transitioned to toys, eventually running Childcraft Toys, completing a leveraged buyout, and later selling the company.

While their lives have spanned boardrooms, film sets, lavender fields, and cobblestone villages, the Ottermans say the best chapters are written with family. Their children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren are spread across New Jersey, Colorado, and Washington State. 

Though they have been in Governors Club only a short time, they have already felt at home. A neighbor across the street hosted a welcome gathering. They have joined the weekly bridge group, signed up for lectures, and are looking forward to French-speaking meetups. 

Looking back, Lloyd and Kathy have lived many lives: athletes who biked more than 40,000 miles through Europe, executives at the top of their fields, lavender farmers in Provence, art collectors, parents, grandparents, and now great-grandparents. Today, their Governors Club home reflects it all: sunlight, art, pottery, and the quiet joy of a couple who still share the same taste and the same sense of adventure after decades together.

Article originally published in Stroll Governors Communities Magazine!