Contact: Donna Scherner/LeJane Carson; 847.884.0000
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WHEATON, Ill. (July 2003) Nearly 150 residents of Wyndemere, an independent
living community for active senior adults, share their life experiences and
words of inspiration through a soon-to-be-released booked entitled:
"Reflections." Collaborating with Wyndemere's residents, local author Alice
Patenaude, wrote the book in celebration of Wyndemere's 10th anniversary year.
The following are biographical excerpts from the work:
John O'Melia
John's experience of helping to liberate the
Dachau Concentration Camp during World War II lit a fervor in him. "I vowed to
work for humanity and against evil in hope for a better world," he says.
After receiving his bachelor's and master's degrees from Case-Western Reserve University, he went on to honor that vow. He worked for the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) for 42 years, beginning in the inner-city areas of Cleveland. He went on to the National Council of YMCAs as Director of Program Services and oversaw all phases of local YMCA programs. Later, he became Director of the U.S. YMCA's International Division, responsible for relations with YMCAs in 90 countries. He was elected into the YMCA Hall of Fame and received other awards honoring his efforts.
Married to his high school sweetheart, Marty, they raised three children and have eight grandchildren. John was also active in volunteer work with his church as an Elder and Deacon, with the City of Wheaton on the Community Relations Commission and of course, with the YMCA and Wyndemere.
Kaz Horita
Kaz grew up like most Americans, playing team
sports and working. But being an American of Japanese decent, he had an
experience most of us did not have, that of having his U.S. Citizenship rights
taken away and being imprisoned in a War Relocation Center during World War II.
"We were, with the clothing that we were able to carry, herded away and
imprisoned in the barren Center with barracks for housing," says Kaz. His Draft
Classification was also changed from 1-A to 4-C (enemy alien). But, through the
efforts of many, particularly, the American Friends Service Committee, Kaz was
permitted to leave the WRC Center and enroll at the Illinois Institute of
Technology. In time, with his draft classification returned to 1A, he served in
the Army Air Force.
With his degree in hand, he began work for the Container Corporation of America. He progressed through the ranks from the technical group to production problem solving and then to management. He eventually directed the Corporate Research and Development organization and spent 40 years with the company.
During the 1960s and '70s, Kaz did volunteer work for the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL.) He served as the organization's Governor for the Chapters of the Eastern U.S. and as one of the National Vice Presidents. As a representative of JACL, Kaz had the opportunity to meet then President Lyndon Johnson. After retiring, he spent 13 years as a consultant and was able to visit Japan regularly as part of that opportunity.
Kaz has been married for 52 years and has three children and one grandchild. A Wyndemere resident for more than seven years, he served in various volunteer capacities including that of Vice President and President of the Wyndemere Resident Council. His thoughts for the next generation, "The U.S. is "the greatest country in the world."
Maxine Hansen
Maxine's interest in political science led
her to a number of elected and appointed positions in local government and to
volunteer work with the League of Women Voters. Maxine was later elected to the
boards of the village of Glen Ellyn and the Glen Ellyn Library and appointed to
the DuPage County Planning Commission. In 1972, she was the first woman honored
by the Glen Ellyn Jaycees as "Man of the Year," causing the name of the award to
be changed thereafter to "Citizen of the Year."
Maxine celebrated 42 anniversaries with her husband and has three children, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her best memory of raising her family is of summer holidays spent traveling across the country to almost every state in the union.
Maxine's hobbies include reading and music. Since retiring, she was asked to teach a "Great Books" course for the Older Adult Institute at the College of DuPage and is still teaching part-time 15 years later.
Ladonna Pipenhagen
Ladonna has had several interesting
careers during her life. After attending Monmouth College for two years and
getting married, her first career was as secretary to the chairman of the
National Young Republicans at National GOP headquarters. She later became a
secretary in the International Conference division of the department of United
Nations Affairs of the U.S. State Department. "The highlight was being part of a
U.S. delegation to Rome, flying on a PAN AM Clipper with a berth to sleep
overnight and working in the U.S. Embassy in Rome for three weeks," she
says.
She later was an at-home mom for her three daughters and involved in a number of school and volunteer activities. She finished her education at Elmhurst College with a bachelor's degree in education and a master's in special education. "My second career was as a special education teacher, reading specialist and diagnostician in Glen Ellyn," said Ladonna.
Ladonna has a number of hobbies from reading and cooking to needlework gardening and tennis. Since retiring, she has helped children with reading at Operation Outreach. She also enjoys playing in her church bell choir. Ladonna has served her church in a number of ways and is very involved at Wyndemere. "I came here almost six years ago and the best thing is the people, both professional and residents. When we moved, my husband was ill and we considered our move a gift to our children," she says.
After losing two husbands, Ladonna has the following advice for future generations: "True identity is your heart and soul - the extent and sincerity of one's love and respect for other people and all living creatures."
For more information on "Reflections" or to purchase a copy, call 630.690.8889. To learn more about Wyndemere Senior Living Campus, visit the website at http://www.wyndemereseniorliving.com/wsc/www/callout/www.wyndemereseniorliving.com.
Wyndemere Senior Living Home : Active Adult Retirement Community : Assisted Living : Nursing and Rehabilitation : Rehab Track