The Village of St. Edward has been embracing the aging process with care for more than 50 years
By Patricia Nugent
The Village of St. Edward was founded more than 50 years ago to provide a welcoming home that caters to the physical, spiritual and social needs of area seniors.
With locations in Fairlawn, which opened in 1964; Wadsworth, which opened in January; and Green, set to open later this year, the growing faith-based communities, which are not-for-profit, are passionately living up to their mission of inspiring joyful aging that respects the dignity and personal growth of all who call The Village home.
“Our residents like to stay active and vibrant, both here in The Village, as well as in the community,” says Annette Walters, corporate director of marketing.
The Wadsworth community features 50 independent apartments, 28 assisted living units and 28 memory care units for a total of 106 units. In Fairlawn, the same levels of care are offered, as well as rehabilitation and nursing care.
One resident, Mary Ann, sums her experience up like this: “The staff is wonderful, they are very caring, you can feel it. I enjoy people and I like where I’m living right now. I’m not Catholic, but that doesn’t matter at all. We have wonderful meals, in fact I have probably put on weight since coming here. Everybody is so caring, you feel loved.”
She says she has felt engaged and invigorated by all the social activities offered, a colorful combination of something for everyone—ladies’ or men’s groups, field trips, singalongs, euchre, movies, bingo, tai chi, Bible study, happy hours, cooking club or walking club, just to name a few.
Fostering a Real Sense of Belonging
Unlike some corporately owned senior living facilities, The Village of St Edward is overseen by a caring and dedicated local Board of Directors. Board Members refer and know some of The Village’s residents. Even the President & CEO, John Stoner, sometimes joins the lively weekly Men’s Club dialogues. He emphasizes the importance of people-residents and The Village’s people who serve the residents.
“I’d like to commend our staff for their caring and talent,” he says. “They are the best group of people I’ve ever worked with. We are expected to and do care about each other. We are like family here.”
The atmosphere is similarly welcoming, with a modern farmhouse esthetic punctuated by sliding barn doors, reclaimed wood, white-washed shiplap walls, mission-inspired light fixtures and roaring stone fireplaces.
One- and two-bedroom suites are competitively priced and feature their own laundry and kitchens. There are no long-term contracts here.
Amenities include a salon, restaurant-style dining with chef-prepared meals, four charming courtyards, a fitness center, a 24-hour personal emergency pendant system, a 24-hour nurse on duty, weekly housekeeping, weekly laundering of linens, room service if needed, and chauffeured transportation to doctor appointments and shopping.
No tour of The Village would be complete without a visit with the incomparable Sr. Marilyn Ambrosic. This endearing lady has been a Dominican nun for 50 years, and in true, come-full-circle spirit, reports that when she became a nun, she helped make the very first beds for the initial residents at the Fairlawn location.
Today, she works with residents on a daily basis, offering groups such as Spiritual Potpourri, Bible study and communion services.
Sr. Marilyn, Fr. James Kramer, Sr. Barbara Ebner and Fr. David Novak provide spiritual enrichment along with opportunities to practice their faith, saying mass several times a week at the beautiful chapel, which is recognized by the diocese.
The Village of St. Edward has three locations. In Wadsworth, the address is 880 Main Street, 234-217-8735. In Fairlawn, the address is 3125 Smith Road, 330-668-2828. The Green location, which opens later this year, is 3813 Fortuna Drive, 234-294-0010. Pets under 20 pounds are allowed. For more information, or to schedule a visit, go to VSECommunities.org.