A Major Wedding

By Amber Springer of BMA Management, Ltd.

Love has a way of finding you when it’s least expected.

That’s what happened to Will Major and Donna Webb when they moved into Prairie Living at Chautauqua, an affordable assisted living community that BMA manages in Carbondale.

Will, a Chicago native and former Southern Illinois University English professor, came to the community after a stroke forced him to retire from the Gaia House Interfaith Center last year. A friend suggested the staff at Prairie Living might be able to help him get back on his feet again. Will took a tour and immediately knew that the community was the perfect fit for him.

For Donna, Prairie Living has always been like a second home. More than a decade ago, when the community opened, she was hired to care for residents as a certified nursing assistant. Donna left to go back to college and pursue her dream of becoming a registered nurse. She went on to nurse countless patients back to good health until she was sidelined by her own medical issues. After a second heart attack, Donna didn’t feel safe living alone. She turned to Prairie Living, the only place she knew she could get the assistance she needed while maintaining her independence.

The two crossed paths in their new homes and became fast friends, attending church together, accompanying each other during weekly shopping trips and eating out with other residents. One day, Will took Donna on a date. A few weeks later, she asked Will to go with her to one of the community’s social dances. They began spending more and more time together, and before long, they were making plans to get married at Prairie Living.

Everyone at the community sprang into action, planning the wedding of their dreams. Babetta Halleran, the resident services coordinator, welcomed guests, and Ray Norwood, one of the cooks, proudly stood up for Will as a groomsman. The entire wedding party was made up of neighbors and friends of the couple, many of whom live at the community. Andy Mabrey, the Prairie Living chef, prepared the menu, and all of the details – both big and small – were taken care of by residents and Megan Becker, a nurse at the community who took on the role as their wedding planner.

Afterward, the newlyweds enjoyed their honeymoon at a local bed and breakfast. Since then, they’ve become advocates for Prairie Living and the lifestyle it provides for older adults. The couple serves on the welcome committee, helping new friends get accustomed to a different environment.

“I can’t think of anyone who could do a better job helping people adjust than our resident newlyweds,” said Terri Pasquino, the community’s administrator. “Although Will and Donna come from very different backgrounds, they both found love and support at Prairie Living.”

The couple says they are eternally grateful that Prairie Living brought them together and helped them find love.

“This is our home, and we want to share our joy here,” Will explained. “We want to show everyone that just because we live in a supportive living facility, that doesn’t mean we can’t make our own decisions. We know we are still in control of our destiny, and only we can control the path our lives take.”

When residents move into our assisted living communities, one of the first perks they notice is all of the opportunities they have to socialize with others. They develop meaningful friendships, and every once in a while, if they’re lucky like Donna and Will, they’ll find someone they want to be with for the rest of their lives. Seeing that new love blossom is a beautiful thing.

Help us wish the newlyweds many years of love and happiness – and be sure to visit the Prairie Living Facebook page to see more photos from their special day.