The Stories Behind the Retirement Living Commercial (part 3)

As many people who live near one of Concordia’s western PA retirement communities know, we made a commercial recently that is playing on local broadcast channels right now! For the commercial, we interviewed a few residents from each of our retirement communities in the region on camera – with no script or prodding. Their comments on how much they love Concordia were humbling to say the least.

There was so much great material, actually, that we couldn’t even fit 10 percent of it into the 30-second video! So we wanted to take a minute to introduce you to some of the residents who we interviewed. Today, enjoy getting to know Judy Eshelman.

Just three months before she turned 70, Judy moved to Concordia Haven I from a big house in Leechburg. She had lived alone for 15 years and wanted to come to enjoy the lifestyle, “before I was too old,” she said.

She had good reason to choose Concordia retirement living since her father, aunt and uncle had already experienced the quality, security and value provided on the beautiful 167-acre Cabot campus.

But it wasn’t just the environment, the multitude of amenities or even the recommendation of family that convinced her this was the perfect place to make her home: What she still likes best after nearly 10 years are the people – employees and fellow residents alike have become friends for life.

Judy never had any sisters or daughters who enjoyed the same interests, so one thing she especially enjoys now is having new, like-minded friends.

“Hobbies are more fun when there are great people and a lovely place to gather,” she said.

She is a quilter and now belongs to the coloring group. Judy was part of the Haven Chorale and when she can find a minute, she volunteers at the library.

“There’s so much to do you can’t do it all,” she explains when discussing her encounters volunteering for Concordia’s Good Samaritan Hospice.

As a member of Harvest Baptist Church in Natrona Heights, Judy stays involved in her community of faith, too.

Mother of three sons – Curt, Doug and Jeff – she was a seamstress for 25 years in addition to being a housewife working to keep the kids in college. Her oldest son still lives in nearby Natrona Heights and the youngest in Cincinnati, where her five grandchildren are. Her middle son passed away in 2012.

“You really get to rest after all those years,” said the “legacy” resident who also said the last decade has been “the best time of my life.”

Those were the words that assured her a spot in the TV commercial, even though she said the invitation to participate came out of the blue. Judy had never been interviewed on camera before, but said she had great fun with the new experience.

“People called me who I haven’t talked to in ages telling me I look like I’m enjoying life here at Concordia,” she said with a laugh. Each time she heard from someone she invited them to come and take a look. “Everyone in the building is still asking me for my autograph,” she noted.

If you are thinking of joining Judy at Concordia Haven Apartments on the Concordia at Cabot campus but would like to learn more, we invite you to an upcoming open house or a complimentary lunch and personal tour of the community. To schedule your visit, please call Admissions Counselor Peggy Trettel at 724-352-5378.

At any given time, Concordia serves more than 650 seniors in western PA and eastern OH in retirement living alone. Retirement living (or independent living, as it’s sometimes called) offers a worry-free lifestyle for seniors, with every convenience of home. Amenities like routine maintenance, scheduled transportation, daily events/activities and much more are included.

For more information on Concordia’s worry-free retirement communities in Pittsburgh, Cabot, Allison Park or Copley, Ohio, visit www.ConcordiaRetirement.org. You can also use our online contact form or call 1-833-469-5532 for general retirement living questions.