Listen to what our residents have to say about Villa St. Benedict.

Diane is 76 years young, and enjoying every minute of her active lifestyle here. “I still drive, and I love racquetball, karate and golf.” She also loves Villa St. Benedict because “they offer so much, and the chapel made a great first impression, too.”

It hasn’t always been easy, though. “A few years ago I had a stroke, and my daughter said I should take a look at Villa St. Benedict. So I went online, and I thought it was a really nice place.”

“I love it here. You have your privacy, which I totally enjoy. You can come and go as you please, and the people are a real plus, because I’ve made so many wonderful friends here. And of course the Performance Enhancement Center fits my lifestyle.” She adds, “I also like having my meals cooked for me.”

Diane worked two jobs much of the time, that’s why she’s “doing everything I want to do, because now it’s my turn. Every day is just totally filled up.”

Diane is determined to live life to the fullest, so she’s encouraged that so many others do exactly that at Villa St. Benedict. In fact, she’s delighted at how Villa St. Benedict helps her live the active life she loves.

 

Hillard Schmidt is an 82 year old, lifelong bachelor who lived on Chicago’s northwest side for 47 years. He worked for the Amphenol Corporation for 30 years, and retired when the company moved.

His sister suggested they visit Villa St. Benedict when they were considering retirement places. “We went to at least a half dozen—but after visiting here several times, we decided this was the best.”

He was “surprised at how much space there was, with big windows and a beautiful view.” He adds that, “Everything was so nicely decorated that it seemed almost too elegant.” Hillard says that “having a beautiful chapel right here on the grounds” was also key. And, of course, competitive pricing was important, too.

Today, brother and sister enjoy their own residences and many amenities, including activities that they usually attend together. Hillard also values the security of knowing that with Benedale Center so near, he’ll always have a “place where they will take care of me.”

But maybe what he likes most is that “Once you’re here, you forget all the cares and worries you had with a house.” And, he adds, “Everybody’s concerned about one another, so it feels like home.”

 

Two years ago, Marion’s daughter-in-law persuaded her to move from a Tampa retirement community to be closer to her family. She says, “Judy did all the research, and she fell in love with this place.” Once she got here, Marion did the same, because she says, “It really does feel like family here. I just liked it right away.”

Marion, 87, appreciates the level of service she gets here. She says, “I’ve done enough through the years, so I don’t do a blasted thing in my place, not dusting, nothing, and I think the staff here does an excellent job.” Marion eats most of her meals in the dining room, but at breakfast, she’s a homebody. “I hate to get dressed early, so I just relax, eat a little and get on the Internet.”

Marion keeps busy, too. “I still drive, so on Sundays I usually go to my son’s. And I’m the hospitality chairman, so I’m always sending cards and welcoming the new people.” She adds, “I also try to exercise in the PEC three days a week—doctor’s orders.” The bottom line for Marion? “Gosh, I just love living here. I really do.”

 

For many of the 65 years that Joe Ryan and his wife Marie have been married, they lived in Naperville. “We loved our home, but it was too big to live in any longer,” Joe says. “I didn’t want to mow the lawn, shovel snow, or worry about the sump pump anymore.”

Joe wanted “the freedom of being in a home without any of the worries,” so he and Marie chose Villa St. Benedict. Joe thinks, “The staff is fabulous here. Everybody you talk to is real friendly and helpful. If a light bulb goes out, just call, and they fix it right away.”

Joe looked at other places, but none measured up to Villa St. Benedict. “It had what we wanted—the freedom of having our own house—and there’s always something to do. The food is good, too, and you can bring guests for dinner, just like at a restaurant.”

Joe understands that “it’s kind of scary coming into a new lifestyle, so there’s an effort to make people feel at home.” “And you never have to move away,” he adds, “because you can go to Benedale for assisted living. It’s like having peace-of-mind insurance, and it’s another big reason we came here.”

 

Sabina D’Orio's three children all live within easy driving distance of her new home at Villa St. Benedict. In fact, it was through her daughter, who resides in nearby Naperville, that she first found out about this brand-new senior living community.

"My daughter strongly encouraged me to look into Villa St. Benedict, and once I saw it for myself, I knew I would be proud to call it home," says Sabina.

After residing in Elmwood Park, Illinois, for many years, Sabina moved into a spacious new two-bedroom apartment at Villa St. Benedict October 2005, and absolutely loves her inviting surroundings.

"I'm extremely impressed with the airy floor plan, many modern design features and lovely view of the villas and landscape," she remarks. "I was nervous about managing the move on my own, but the staff helped me every step of the way.”

An outgoing, energetic person, Sabina already finds herself immersed in a whirlwind of activities.

"You can be as busy here as you want to be," says Sabina. "There are social get-togethers, lectures, performances, special-interest clubs and so much more."

Additionally, Sabina has high praise for Villa St. Benedict's beautiful chapel, and thinks the fitness center is the most exceptional she has ever seen. She also loves the convenience of having chauffeured transportation to take her wherever she wants to go off campus.

"I'm so happy here," concludes Sabina. “Every day brings exciting new possibilities, and I’m ready to explore them all!"

 

When Rosanne Taube decided to move to a senior living community, she conducted intense research for the right place to call her future home.  Having lived in the Chicago area her entire life, with many family members and friends nearby, she didn’t care to stray far.  The park-like setting surrounding Villa St. Benedict matched Rosanne’s vision of an ideal community.

"My new home is in a peaceful, uncongested area, yet close to all the main roads and train station, so I can easily get to the city whenever I want," she says.  Rosanne also admits a major factor in her decision was the full continuum of care offered at Villa St. Benedict.

“I’m healthy and active now,” she says, “but one can never predict the future, so I feel secure knowing advanced levels of care will be available, in case I ever need them.”

Most of all, Rosanne is excited about her Villa home, which she moved into in January 2005.”

"I live in a lovely Villa with lots of sunshine flooding through the windows," she enthuses. "I have a huge kitchen with a skylight and brand-new appliances, a beautiful living room, and two spacious bedrooms, one of which I use as a den. And I even have an attached garage!"

"Living at Villa St. Benedict was like starting an exciting new chapter in my life," says Rosanne. "I enjoy my new neighbors and am involved in nearly everything that is offered here. And I love to show off my beautiful Villa home."