Faith in Action: Two Communities Answer One Calling
At Santa Marta, we believe in giving the best faith-centered care possible. Our conviction of hospitality and service shapes every decision we make, starting with…
Among the residents who call Santa Marta home today are more than a dozen who have been here since the community’s opening year, nearly 20 years ago. They have watched Santa Marta flourish while enjoying lives here filled with friendship, faith, new experiences, and plenty of wonderful stories.
We recently sat down with several of these original residents to reminisce about the early days and hear what they have enjoyed most about life at Santa Marta through the years.
Their memories take us back to choosing residences from the original plans, gathering at elegant events before opening day, and meeting neighbors who would soon become friends. Their stories also offer a glimpse into the people and spirit that continue to make Santa Marta such a special place to call home.
Ask Santa Marta’s original residents about the beginning, and the memories come easily.
Joann Mulligan remembers the personal attention she experienced as she considered making Santa Marta her home.
“The sales office that they had at the time was so small,” Joann said. “You didn’t go to the office, they came to your home.”
Naomi Kennedy remembers the excitement of seeing the plans for Santa Marta and finding the place that would become her own.
“They had this big table and a mockup of the whole complex. It was very elaborate,” Naomi shared. “You could go around and see exactly where your apartment was going to be.”
She also remembers the elegant events Santa Marta hosted for future residents.
“The promotions that they had before Santa Marta opened were absolutely elegant,” Naomi said. “They made you think, ‘Oh, I’m coming to somewhere very nice.’”
Those early experiences gave future residents their first taste of the warm hospitality that continues to be part of life at Santa Marta today.
For Joann, Santa Marta also offered the opportunity to plan ahead with confidence.
As a nurse who spent 30 years working in long-term care, she understood the value of choosing a community with Life Care and appreciated having that option at Santa Marta.
“I’m a nurse by profession and worked in the long-term care industry for 30 years. So I knew we needed to plan and be proactive,” Joann shared. “I had always felt that the Life Care plan was an excellent plan.”
For Joann, that confidence has been part of enjoying life at Santa Marta through the years. It’s an approach that continues today, giving residents the freedom to focus on the life they want to live while knowing they have thoughtfully planned.
Faith has been part of Santa Marta from the beginning, and it continues to enrich daily life throughout the community.
For original resident Howard Earnhardt, Santa Marta’s Catholic tradition was an important part of choosing his home.
“I chose Santa Marta because of the religious atmosphere,” Howard said. “I enjoy the fact that I can go to the chapel anytime.”
Teresa Sheehy has also found joy in the chapel through the years as a member of the choir. It even became the setting for a wonderful new chapter in her life when friendship with a neighbor turned into something more.
“One of my neighbors asked me to marry him,” Teresa shared. “We were visiting one night and he looked at me and said, ‘Would you marry me?’ I had no intention of getting married. But out of my mouth came, ‘Yes,’ and we had five wonderful years together.”
Teresa’s story is a lovely reminder that life can continue to surprise us, with new relationships and experiences waiting around the corner.
For Santa Marta’s original residents, some of the best stories are about the people they have met along the way.
Marjorie Riley remembers how warmly she was welcomed when she first arrived. One of the neighbors she met during that first week would become one of her closest friends.
“Everybody here was so friendly and welcoming,” Marjorie shared. “The lady that moved in the same week I moved in, Joann, has become my very best friend and confidant.”
Joann treasures those friendships, too.
“Friends are more important to you as you age than they were in your younger years,” Joann said. “The friendships here are deep and meaningful.”
For Naomi, the people she has met at Santa Marta are a big part of what makes this home.
“Santa Marta is home because this is where my husband and I have lived for 19 years. We have had a lot of friends here,” Naomi shared. “That’s probably the biggest blessing, having so many people to interact with. They become family.”
One of the joys of a close-knit community is being surrounded by people who know you well and appreciate you for exactly who you are.
Original resident Dolores Sufford captures that spirit perfectly.
“We all understand being here, and we all accept each other’s idiosyncrasies,” Dolores said.
There is an ease that comes with feeling at home. Residents bring their own personalities, interests, and stories to Santa Marta, creating a community that is as interesting as the people who live here.
Nearly 20 years later, the memories are wonderfully different. Naomi remembers choosing her future residence from the original model. Howard found a home where faith could remain close at hand. Teresa found an unexpected new love, while Marjorie and Joann found a friendship that has lasted through the years.
And they’re still adding to those stories today.
That may be one of the most wonderful things about hearing from Santa Marta’s original residents. After all these years, there are still friends to see, experiences to enjoy, and plenty of life ahead.
At Santa Marta, there is always room to flourish.
How can I stay socially engaged with the Santa Marta community?
At Santa Marta, community life offers many ways to connect with neighbors and enjoy each day. Residents can take part in social events, educational programs, fitness and wellness opportunities, faith-based activities, and resident-led groups. Just as Santa Marta’s original residents have discovered, some of the best connections also happen naturally over a meal, during an activity, and while spending time with neighbors who become friends.
What kinds of amenities and services are available at Santa Marta?
Santa Marta offers a wide range of services and amenities designed to help residents flourish. Residents enjoy exceptional dining, fitness and wellness opportunities, beautiful gathering spaces, spiritual services including daily Mass, a beauty salon, and many other conveniences that make everyday life enjoyable.
Is Santa Marta a Catholic senior living community?
Santa Marta is proudly rooted in the Catholic tradition that is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and welcomes people of all faiths. Residents have opportunities to nurture their spiritual lives through daily Mass, chapel services, pastoral care, and other faith-centered experiences.
Does Santa Marta offer Life Care?
Yes. Santa Marta is a Life Care community in Johnson County, Kansas, giving residents the opportunity to enjoy an engaging lifestyle today with the confidence that a full continuum of care is available onsite if their needs change in the future.
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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