When Monarch Landing senior living community in Naperville, Illinois, opened its doors 20 years ago, its first residents were moving into a brand-new community. Two decades later, some of those original residents are still there, with stories that reveal just how much can happen in 20 years.
As Monarch Landing celebrates its 20th anniversary, original residents Bill Holley, Marilyn Luebbing, Maxine Butcher, Joan Everett and Curt Everett offer a glimpse into the people and experiences that helped shape the community.
Their stories include:
- A love story that started at Monarch Landing. Bill and Marilyn met after becoming residents and have now been together for 10 years. They describe themselves as “exclusive, but we have our own apartments.”
- A 99-year-old artist who is still creating. Maxine, who has painted since grade school, continues to paint, swim and exercise regularly at Monarch Landing.
- Activities that began with the residents themselves. Marilyn helped launch the community’s book club and remembers how early residents formed committees, created activities and helped shape the culture of Monarch Landing.
- A 75-year marriage that has included 20 years at Monarch Landing. Joan and Curt Everett, both 96, are celebrating 75 years of marriage while continuing to live together in their independent living apartment.
Together, their stories offer a look at the people behind Monarch Landing’s 20-year history and what happens when residents have a hand in creating the community they call home.
The Residents Started a Lot of the Activities
For Marilyn Luebbing, the story began with a decision she hoped she would only have to make once.
Marilyn moved to Monarch Landing two years after her husband passed away. She chose a Life Plan Community because she wanted to make one move and know she would have the support and services she needed as she grew older. “I don’t want to move again,” she said.
But Marilyn did much more than settle into her new home. She and the other original residents helped establish the culture of Monarch Landing.
“We formed a lot of friendships,” she said. “We’d walk into the dining room and sit down with people and make friends and form committees. We still do that.”
Residents also took an active role in creating activities and programs.
“The residents are still integral to the programs happening today,” Marilyn said.
That spirit of participation became part of the community’s culture. Residents were not simply signing up for programs. They were helping decide what those programs would be.
Two decades later, Marilyn still appreciates the range of choices available at Monarch Landing. Some residents enjoy lifelong learning. Others prefer the pool, outings, entertainment or simply spending time with friends.
“There’s something for everyone,” she said.
And perhaps just as important, the welcoming culture established by those early residents continues.
“Everybody here makes you feel welcome,” she said. “Monarch Landing surpasses expectations. Welcoming, warm and well run.”
A Friendship That Became Something More
Bill Holley and his wife were among Monarch Landing’s first residents. His wife was living with advanced multiple sclerosis and passed away several years after they moved in.
Eventually, Bill met Marilyn.
“We hung out some,” Marilyn said. “We’ve been together ten years. I never thought it would happen. I was settled in. But I met him and I was helping him out with some things and it went from there.”
Bill puts their relationship another way.
“We’re exclusive, but we have our own apartments,” he said.
Their relationship is one example of the connections that can develop through the ordinary rhythms of community life: shared meals, activities, clubs and everyday encounters.
For Bill, those connections are one reason he remains so happy at Monarch Landing.
“There are so many things happening,” he said. “It’s fabulous.”
When Bill first moved in, The Springs at Monarch Landing did not yet exist. Now, the healthcare and rehabilitation center provides memory care/assisted living, rehabilitation, and skilled care. Its addition was an important evolution, expanding the care and services available to residents and strengthening the community’s ability to support people as their needs change.
But what Bill values most is the culture.
“The residents and culture are amazing,” he said.
Bill contributes to that culture himself. He leads a men’s group, is part of the astronomy club and is an avid bridge player.
Twenty years after moving in, Bill remains active and involved in the community he helped build.
“I’m very happy here,” he said.
Still Painting, Still Swimming, Still Choosing
Maxine Butcher and her husband were also among Monarch Landing’s first residents. He passed away the following year.
“It is good that I am here,” she said.
At 99, Maxine continues to make the most of life at Monarch Landing. She exercises regularly, swims and takes advantage of opportunities to stay active.
“There’s always a choice of exercise opportunities,” she said.
Maxine works hard to maintain her health and independence. She appreciates knowing that additional levels of care are available if she ever needs them, but her goal is to remain as independent as possible.
She has been an artist since grade school and continues to paint in her spacious apartment at Monarch Landing. She also enjoys the community’s programs and activities.
And then there are the people.
Maxine describes the residents as friendly and open and praises the staff for the quality of care and service they provide.
“There have been many changes through the 20 years,” she said. “The outcomes have been good.”
Perhaps most tellingly, Maxine describes her years at Monarch Landing in terms of the memories she has made.
“I have a lot of happy memories here and no sad memories,” she said. “I wish my husband was here.”
75 Years of Marriage, 20 Years at Monarch Landing
Joan and Curt Everett brought something special with them when they moved into Monarch Landing 20 years ago: a marriage that had already lasted 55 years.
Today, both 96, they are celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary while continuing to live together in independent living at Monarch Landing.
For the Everetts, the community has been the setting for another chapter in a love story that began three quarters of a century ago.
Their 20 years at Monarch Landing have included the everyday experiences that turn a residence into a home: familiar faces, friendships, activities and the simple comfort of continuing to share life side by side.
Their story also reflects something that is easy to overlook when marking a community anniversary. The history of a place is not just found in buildings, renovations or programs. It is found in the people who spend years of their lives there.
For Joan and Curt, 20 of those years have been part of a 75-year marriage.
Twenty Years of Making a Community
Bill, Marilyn, Maxine, Joan and Curt arrived at Monarch Landing when its story was just beginning. They could not have known what the community would become, but they helped shape it.
They helped establish clubs and activities. They formed committees and friendships. They welcomed new neighbors and contributed ideas. They helped create a culture in which residents had a voice in community life.
Their stories are different, but they share something important.
They did not simply move into Monarch Landing.
They helped make it what it is today.
Monarch Landing
Monarch Landing is a Life Plan Community located on a scenic campus in Naperville, Illinois-named “one of America’s best places to live and retire” by Modern Maturity, and “the best city for early retirement” by Kiplinger. Monarch Landing offers independent living, promoting a vibrant lifestyle for active seniors. The Springs at Monarch Landing offers memory supported assisted living, respite care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing services, thus providing complete continuing care for seniors. Monarch Landing is owned by Senior Care Development and managed by Life Care Services®. For additional information visit www.WelcomeToMonarchLanding.com or www.TheSpringsatMonarchLanding.com.
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Media Contact: Wendy Foster | [email protected]