Fifty-two year resident finds new purpose after losing her husband, moving to K-B
After spending 52 years in two different houses in Hinsdale, Joan Roddewig Geary said moving to independent living was a smooth transition. (Jim Slonoff photo)
Joan Roddewig Geary looks back on how her life unfolded in distinct chapters.
Her first 10 years in Hinsdale were spent raising her four children and filling a host of volunteer positions, from serving as chair of the Hinsdale Antiques Show for two years in a row to organizing the St. Isaac Jogues dinner dance.
Then there were the years she spent as general manager of the Hilton Oak Lawn, a hotel she and husband John owned with another partner.
"It was the guys and I back in the '80s," Geary said. "I was like one of the guys. We had a fabulous restaurant, Whitney's Bar & Grill, at the hotel that won all sorts of awards in Chicago Southland."
Geary was busy outside the hotel, too, serving as chairman of the Illinois Hotel Association and founding the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce.
"Once I got going at the hotel, that just took up all of our time and energy," she said.
Following the sale of the hotel in 2007, Joan and John enjoyed splitting their time between Hinsdale and North Palm Beach, Fla. Then John passed away four years ago and Geary realized she was moving into a new chapter - one that would involve a physical move as well to King-Bruwaert in Burr Ridge.
"(John) and I had been on the list here for the cottages, the Woods, for a few years," Geary said.
Right after her husband passed, she learned of plans to construct The Gardens at King-Bruwaert, a new building with 43 independent living apartments.
"It was a great idea for a widow, it really was, rather than moving into one of those cottages by yourself," she said. "They take care of everything here. They take care of so much for you."
Geary said making the transition from her home on Bittersweet Lane, where she lived for 39 years, to her new residence was not that difficult. She said she chose to view the move as the opportunity to begin a new life that was going to be wonderful.
"Some of them came in with some trepidations and they weren't sure they were doing the right thing," she said. "You see the myriad of reactions people have when they move in here. It's been very interesting to see."
Her 27 years of experience as general manager of the hotel provided her with a skill set that is proving useful in her new home. She was appointed to the restaurant committee to offer advice on the building's fine dining option, Edmonds.
As a committee member, she's been working to have dinner with each of the new residents, mainly to gather their opinions. She's also had the opportunity to meet a variety of interesting neighbors.
"It's a real assortment of people, which is wonderful," she said.
Among her fellow residents are retired doctors, immigrants from Germany and Ukraine and the founder of Illinois Math and Science Academy, Stephanie Pace Marshall.
"She's probably my best friend here now, but we never knew each other before," Geary said.
Geary also has organized a Monday night "single ladies" dinner for the 20 single women - widowed or divorced - who live in The Gardens.
"That was the best idea I've had in years," she said. "I'll tell you, they love it."
She also keeps busy with excursions to plays in Chicago and concerts in Grant Park, and participating in the myriad activities offered in the building.
"That is one of the main reasons I think I was so excited to come. They have some wonderful excursions," she said. "There isn't a day that goes by that you can't find two or three activities here to take part in."
The Gardens, which opened in May, is for people who can live independently but offers transition to other areas of K-B - assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing - if the need arises. That provides a level of comfort, Geary said.
"Everybody who is here, their family is so relieved that they are in a place like this which will be able to take care of their parents until they're
gone," she said.
Geary said efforts have been made to make sure all the new residents feel included.
"We have really set up a wonderful, close environment among all of the residents and that has really helped a lot," she said. "People know that those around them care about them."
In addition to the 20 women, the new building is home to 15 couples and three single men. Having so many new residents all at once required an adjustment
"K-B had some adapting to do as well, let me tell you," Geary said. "All of a sudden they had 50 new people moving in here."
Case in point, the first single ladies dinner had to end at 6:30 p.m. because that's when the restaurant closed, she related. Now the women are allowed to stay as late as they want.
"It's been a learning experience on both sides," she said.
Shawn O'Connor, interim CEO at K-B, said she appreciates all Geary has done for the facility.
"Each resident contributes so much. I'm honored to know Joan," O'Connor said.
At 83 1/2, Geary said she loves getting to know other residents and hearing their stories.
"The stories are more fun at this stage of life," she said. "There are twists and turns in everybody's life. It's just wonderful to see how they got here."
Geary clearly enjoys telling her own story and sharing the enthusiasm she has for the new life she's creating.
"I can't tell you what a great experience it has been," she said. "I'm certainly as happy as I have ever been at any stage in my life."
