DEARBORN, Michigan – Dearborn resident Mary Ann Zawada spent many years counseling adults, serving as former head of Counseling at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and later as executive director of the Dearborn Pastoral Counseling Center. This may be why she was quick to follow her own counsel when she began to have concerns about safety and living alone.
Mary Ann Zawada displays part of her angel collection that came with her in the recent move to Oakwood Common.
“I no longer wanted to make home repairs, and I don’t have any family in the area to help,” said Zawada, who plays the piano and is socially active with a variety of local organizations. “Over the years, I’ve made many home visits to seniors so I was already familiar with many of the retirement communities.”
In September, Zawada moved into a spacious two-bedroom apartment at Oakwood Common that overlooks the Japanese garden.
She said, “I wasn’t looking forward to another winter of shoveling snow.”
Zawada shared that her move has benefited others as well. The man who took care of her yard in west Dearborn had always expressed how much he liked her house, so she sold it to him. Her neighbors are also happy, because he helps tend their yards as well.
No longer worrying about safety and maintenance issues, Zawada assists Oakwood Common’s Chaplain Romona Nowak and continues her social activities with friends and various community groups.
She said that her only concern now is her waistline. “The food is really good here—especially the menu items we have in the new bistro. I never enjoyed cooking, and it’s especially difficult to cook for just one person.”
According to Zawada, if she had to sum up her reasons for following her own advice and selecting Oakwood Common, “It’s all about the environment and what worked best for me.”
About Oakwood Common
Oakwood Common offers one and two bedroom apartments located at 16351 Rotunda Drive, within a beautiful 29-acre retirement community that includes exquisite landscaping, nature trails and scenic views along the historic Rouge River Gateway in Dearborn. Oakwood Common apartments, available with flexible payment options, offer exceptional amenities for independent living and can be readily customized. Assisted living and a comprehensive rehabilitation and skilled nursing center are also available for those with additional needs. For more information and to arrange tours, call 800-642-4663.