Fourteen months ago, Barbara Nagengast became one of the very first residents to move into the brand-new independent living apartments at Oak Trace senior living community in Downers Grove. It was a move she made earlier than expected, and one for which she’s profoundly grateful. 
“I always had the age of 80 in my head,” she said. Instead, she made the decision when she was 75, as the result of a pivotal realization. Living alone in a townhouse in Wheaton, she found her social circle limited. “I knew my neighbors on both sides of me, but that was it. That was my social network. I kept thinking, ‘There has to be more than this.’ And there was.”
Barbara was born and raised in San Diego and attended college in San Francisco, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She joined the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps at the end of the Vietnam War and was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Hospital working in contaminated orthopedics.
After years at home with her “four treasures” (her children), she reentered the workforce in health administration, earning her MBA while working full time and raising her kids. She worked in a private practice and then at Northwestern. Her favorite position was as the Director of Business Services for the Department of Dermatology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine, from which she retired in 2014.
But Barbara’s life hasn’t ever been defined exclusively by her professional accomplishments—it’s also vividly illustrated (and sewn) through her creativity.
Stitch by Stitch: A Lifelong Journey in Fiber Art
A self-proclaimed lifelong fiber artist, Barbara’s creative journey began early. “I tell people I was born with a needle and thread in my hands,” she said. She started sewing her own clothes at age 10, gradually progressing from needlepoint and knitting to the intricate world of quilting. Her award-winning quilts have been exhibited at major quilt shows and admired by tens of thousands. 
“The quilts are intended to be more art than functional,” she said. Known for their originality, fine detail, and bold designs, her quilts stand as intellectual works as much as artistic ones. “Quilting is an intellectual activity,” she said. “It engages your brain in such a satisfying way.”
Now, she’s expanded her talents even further. “I’ve moved on to weaving,” she said.
Barbara shares her artistic pursuits as part of Oak Trace’s informal Fiber Friends group. This is a gathering of residents who share a love for fiber arts. “Some people knit, some embroider, some quilt. It’s a great way to connect over a shared passion,” she said.
For Barbara, connection has been the most rewarding part of her move to Oak Trace. “I was terrified I wouldn’t fit in. But I’ve met fabulous people. I step out of my apartment in the morning and visit with a number of people within moments. I never have to go looking for people to play with,” she said. “I have more than 20 good friends now. That’s about 18 more than the number of people I got to know in 10 years in my old neighborhood.”
The community’s vibrant social life, diverse activities, and welcoming spirit quickly won her over. From on-campus programs, activities and performances to outings in the area as well as in Chicago, there’s always something happening. “The bus takes us, and we don’t have to worry about parking or logistics,” she says. “Everything just works.”
Space to Spare
Barbara chose a spacious two-bedroom apartment at Oak Trace, with one room serving as a dedicated studio for her fiber work. “It’s perfect,” she said.
Fascinating Friends
She describes her fellow residents as some of the most interesting and friendliest people she’s ever met. “They’ve lived rich lives, had incredible careers, traveled the world, done amazing things. It’s jaw-dropping, really.”
Barbara herself has lived a life worthy of awe. From beginning kindergarten in pre-statehood Hawaii, taking three buses and a boat to get to school, to traveling to China, Bhutan, Japan, India, and Europe, she’s never stopped seeking growth, experience, and beauty.
Oak Trace: Where Stories and Friendships Thrive
“I’m so glad I didn’t wait to move here,” she said. “Everything fell together perfectly. Oak Trace checked all the boxes—a full continuum of care, beautiful grounds, central location, and wonderful people. I didn’t know this kind of community life was possible.”
Now she does. And like the vibrant threads of her quilts, Barbara’s story continues to unfold—colorful, bold, and stitched with purpose.
Oak Trace Senior Living
Oak Trace senior living community in Downers Grove is set on more than 40 acres of landscaped grounds featuring gardens, walking paths, ponds and abundant greenspace. Oak Trace has private independent living apartments, as well as assisted living, memory care, skilled care and rehabilitation. The Life Care Community offers guaranteed lifelong care with predictable costs. Oak Trace is owned by Lifespace, a not-for-profit organization with more than 45 years of experience in senior living. To learn more about Oak Trace, visit www.OakTraceSeniorLiving.com.
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Contact: Wendy Foster
Company: IVY Marketing Group
Telephone: 630-290-9237
For: Oak Trace
Website: https://www.oaktraceseniorliving.com
