Creating Beauty and Belonging: Jenny McNeill Purvis and the Art of Design at Liberty Senior Living
In the heart of Liberty Senior Living’s newest community, Hayes Barton Place in Raleigh, every detail tells a story…not just of luxury, but of elegance, history, and home. Behind that carefully curated atmosphere is Jenny McNeill Purvis, a fifth-generation member of the family that founded Liberty Healthcare Management which operates Liberty Senior Living. Jenny’s husband Will Purvis is President of Liberty Senior Living. Their family lives in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Jenny plays a key role in shaping the look and feel of Liberty Senior Living’s spaces, combining her love of art, her family legacy, and a deep respect for the seniors who live there. “Design and care go hand in hand,” she said.
A Family Legacy with a Personal Touch
Jenny grew up involved in the family business. Her father, Sandy is one of the primary owners at Liberty, and Jenny’s early involvement came in different forms. “I got to know people in the company from a young age,” she said, explaining that through the years she worked in the family drugstore as a teen and spent time at Liberty’s healthcare communities, assisting with activities. “I love working with seniors,” she said.
Jenny continued to take on different roles in the organization as an adult, including marketing for Liberty’s home care and hospice services. However as she started a family of her own, Jenny decided to shift in order to spend more time at home. “I pulled back from marketing and sales,” she said. “I had grown up painting and loving art but hadn’t had time for it. Design became my outlet, and it just evolved into my role with Liberty.”
Designing with Heart: Hayes Barton Place
Jenny was at the helm of design for Liberty’s newest upscale senior living community, Hayes Barton Place. Located in one of Raleigh’s most historic neighborhoods, the community blends elegance with welcoming warmth, thanks in no small part to
Jenny’s vision.
Her design philosophy is rooted in creating spaces that are not only aesthetically beautiful but emotionally meaningful. For Hayes Barton Place, Jenny decided to curate an original collection that speaks to the community’s local roots.
A Gallery of Local Stories
“We went out and found original artwork,” Jenny said. “We wanted to emphasize known artists in the Raleigh area and across North Carolina.” The curated collection includes works by celebrated area artists such as Christopher Holt, Alicia Armstrong, Ora Sorensen, and John James Audubon. “Furthermore, we have a very special connection to beloved artist Mary Rountree, who is the mother of Thad Moore, Development Manager for Liberty Senior Living. He’s been very involved and brought his inherent eye for design to the project.”
Jenny noted, “We are particularly grateful to Shawn Brewster, the Associate Director and Curator for The Mahler Fine Art. It is a fine art consultancy located in Raleigh and was the key to this art collection. Shawn introduced me to the artists with whom I would not have otherwise had the connections.”
“There’s artwork at Hayes Barton Place that speaks to everybody. Our residents and prospective residents recognize and appreciate the local artwork,” Jenny said, adding, “Many have had their own collections by these artists.”
One of her favorite pieces at Hayes Barton Place is a striking installation made from salvaged street signs of the Hayes Barton neighborhood, an artistic tribute to the community’s history. “It’s a nod to the past,” Jenny said. “People from the area appreciate it. It honors their connection to this place.”
At the grand opening celebration held last month, one attendee who is an artist, told Jenny she was visiting every floor just to see all the art and “soak up everything.” Moments like that are what make Jenny’s work feel so rewarding. “It feels good to bring joy to people,” she said. “That’s why I love doing it.”
A Behind-the-Scenes Force
Jenny is key to Liberty Senior Living’s success in creating welcoming, beautiful environments. Whether it’s a new building like Hayes Barton Place or a renovation of an existing community, Jenny is hands-on when it comes to design choices, focusing on the décor and the “vibe.”
More Than Just Aesthetics
At its core, Jenny’s work is about more than making spaces look nice, it’s about creating places where people feel good. “We want people to see these spaces and visualize themselves living there. It’s about being thoughtful, beautiful, and personal,” she said.
That personal commitment reflects the heart of Liberty’s legacy of care, guided by generations of family dedication.
“We’re a family business,” Jenny said. “Making things look good reflects the commitment of our family. It’s about making people feel at home.”
Liberty Senior Living
Liberty Senior Living, LLC, is a division of Liberty Healthcare Management that specializes in senior living and retirement communities. Based in North Carolina and established in 1875, Liberty Healthcare Management is an experienced, family-owned company that has been assisting people to manage their healthcare and residential needs for almost 150 years. To learn more about Liberty Senior Living and the communities they offer, please visit www.LibertySeniorLiving.com .
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Contact: Wendy Foster
Company: IVY Marketing Group
Telephone: 630-290-9237
For: Liberty Senior Living
Website: https://www.libertyseniorliving.com
