The Gift of Peace of Mind: Talking with Your Family About Retirement Plans
The holidays have a way of bringing everyone back to the same table. Children come home, grandchildren fill the house, and familiar traditions remind us…
When Valerie Bauer and her husband began exploring retirement living, they weren’t just looking for a maintenance-free home. They were searching for a place where they could continue growing in faith, serving others, building meaningful friendships, and embracing whatever came next.
Nearly three years after moving to Santa Marta, Valerie describes her life with one word:
Flourishing.
For Valerie, flourishing means more than staying active. It means waking up each day with purpose, remaining connected to her Catholic faith, serving others, and continuing to grow in ways she never expected.
Retirement gave Valerie something she didn’t expect: more space for what mattered most.
Originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Valerie and her husband spent years deeply involved in their parish and faith community. Her husband now serves as a deacon at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Mission, Kansas, and together they knew their faith would remain central to wherever they chose to live.
As they explored retirement communities, they were searching for more than beautiful residences and convenient amenities. They wanted a place where they could continue living their faith, building relationships, and serving others.
After visiting several communities, they made one final stop before heading out of town: a tour of Santa Marta.
The couple toured separately that day while taking turns caring for their two beloved Italian dogs. When they met back at the car, they realized they had reached the exact same conclusion. Valerie recalls that her husband was ready to make the move. Within six weeks, they had made their decision.
They have never looked back.
What stood out immediately was something Valerie hadn’t found anywhere else.
“It felt like home from the very beginning,” she says.
One of their very first dinners at Botticelli’s, one of Santa Marta’s on-site restaurants, confirmed that feeling. A resident named Cletus, who was 100 years old at the time, rolled up to their table on his scooter to welcome them.
His words have stayed with Valerie ever since.
“Santa Marta isn’t heaven. But it’s the next best thing.”
It wasn’t just a memorable welcome. It reflected the spirit of the community: one rooted in gratitude, joy, faith, and genuine care for one another.
Today, Valerie attends daily Mass, participates in Eucharistic Adoration, and serves alongside more than 30 residents involved in chapel ministries. Throughout the year, she also enjoys Advent and Lenten retreats, prayer opportunities, and countless moments of fellowship with neighbors who share her values.
“Religious service fulfills me,” Valerie says. “It means so much to be part of this calling.” For Valerie, retirement has created more opportunities to deepen her faith, not fewer.
Retirement has become a season of continued growth for Valerie. Rather than slowing down, she has embraced new opportunities to learn, lead, and stay engaged in the life of the community.
She learned to play bridge and mahjong. She attends educational programs and cultural events. She enjoys conversations with neighbors whose experiences and perspectives continue to inspire her.
For the past two years, she has also served as chair of Santa Marta’s resident Health & Wellness Committee, helping shape programs that benefit the entire community.
One lesson has especially shaped the way Valerie approaches each day.
Father Gilow often shares what he calls the Five L’s:
Valerie says these principles have shaped the way she approaches daily life at Santa Marta. Whether she’s serving on the Health & Wellness Committee, participating in chapel ministries, or spending time with neighbors, she strives to live out those values each day.
Ask Valerie what makes Santa Marta different, and her answer comes without hesitation.
Unity.
She describes neighbors who genuinely care for one another, associates who serve with compassion, and a community built around shared values and meaningful relationships.
For her, it’s a place where faith is lived, friendships come naturally, and people encourage one another through every season of life. It’s a community where shared values create lasting friendships and where residents genuinely care for one another.
When people begin searching for senior living, they often focus on practical questions.
What does it cost? What healthcare is available? What are the residences like?
Those questions matter, but Valerie’s story reminds us that retirement is about more than practical decisions. It’s also about finding a place where you can continue growing in faith, purpose, friendships, and service.
In Valerie’s words, she’s flourishing. For her, retirement has become a season of purpose, connection, growth, and faith. At Santa Marta, that’s what flourishing can look like.
If you’re exploring senior living in Johnson County and want a community where mission, hospitality, and meaningful living come together, we would love to connect with you. Whether you’re just beginning your research or ready to take the next step, our team is here to answer questions, schedule a personal visit, or simply have a conversation. Contact one of our senior living sales counselors today.
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