Anne’s Story
Resident Blessed To Live Among Sisters
As we reflect on the blessings of this holiday season, we want to thank you for allowing us to share the story and some of the most memorable quotes of Anne, who came to live at The Village at Marymount in February of 2018 …
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“I love The Village at Marymount because I couldn’t be a Nun, but at least I could live with them for the rest of my life.”
Anne was a wonderful, hard-working and loving Catholic woman, mother and wife. From Hungarian descent, Anne was born in Croatia in August of 1925 and her life was filled with many hardships and challenges. Early in life, Anne shared her dream with her parents to take a vow and become a Nun, but just like so many others, Anne’s journey led her down a different path and she would eventually meet and marry John, her husband of over 70 years.
“My hallway became my street…where I would begin calling it home.”
John and Anne defected from home and spent several years in various refugee camps in Europe and eventually made their way across the Pond to Cleveland, Ohio because their U.S. sponsor was from the area. Once settled in Cleveland, Anne had to start all over again, making a career as a seamstress while raising three beautiful children.
As their children grew and began their own lives, John and Anne found solace vacationing in Florida and enjoying one another’s company. Anne took pleasure in crocheting booties, sewing clothes, gardening and perfecting her famous cherry strudel which would become a family favorite. John and Anne moved to the city of Medina in order to be closer to her daughter who would assist with their medical needs. John peacefully passed from complications due to dementia in 2015.
To her daughter: “There isn’t a better place. You need to reserve your room (on the list) so you have a place when you need it.”
The lessons learned from her earlier experiences in life soon became apparent to Anne as she found herself diagnosed with double lung cancer, heart disease and AFIB and could no longer live on her own or in the sole care of her children. Her conditions quickly escalated and was admitted to Clare Hall in our hospice wing with the bleak prognosis of one week to live. Anne’s faith led her to the campus of The Village at Marymount where she wanted to be at a place with a Catholic-based mission and that bared a cross on campus. Beyond exceptional clinical care, she needed a place that nurtured her emotional and spiritual needs as well – where Sisters prayed and spoke with her as a lifelong friend.
“This is a holy place. It has crosses, rosaries, statues and its own Shrine and a courtyard where I pick flowers and leaves from the Linden Trees to make tea.”
Initially, Anne struggled in her new environment – especially as a strong, independent woman who rarely relied on others for her self-care. Anne’s daughter would later tell us of the panic attacks her mother would experience. However, resident Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis would join Anne in prayer and conversation, and the panic attacks quickly turned to friendships and comfort. Sisters Mary Peter and Liguori prayed with Anne multiple times a day and attended Mass together for emotional support and spiritual strength. Anne would call them her “Sister-Sisters” as a means of closeness, comfort and love. Anne soon began to regain strength through prayer and clinical care. Our caregivers and volunteers provided a holistic approach, ensuring her clinical, emotional and spiritual needs were met. The Sisters made certain she had three meals a day and made praying the rosary a daily habit between friends. Soon, her one-week prognosis was long behind her as Anne was in great spirits and doing well physically, mentally and spiritually. She came to love The Village and did not want to leave. Anne became “Faith-Filled” as her daughter described. Four months after her admission, Anne was able to carry flowers for our May Crowning Ceremony – a celebration of devotion to The Blessed Virgin Mary during the month of May. In an unprecedented moment for any person in her condition and age, Anne would move from hospice to our assisted living community, Marymount Place. She was able to breathe without additional oxygen and became mobile with little assistance. Anne resumed her knitting hobby – one our medical staff would help keep her well-supplied. Our team got her involved in exercise, arts & crafts, family holiday dinners and Mother’s Day tea.
“The Village staff is so caring and respect me so much. My friends are all here.”
Two and a half years after her initial one-week-to-live prognosis, Anne Saliga passed peacefully at Marymount Place on July 7, 2020. She and her family give heaps of gratitude to the people at The Village at Marymount – medical staff, religious and fellow residents for making her time here one of hope, faith and spiritual healing which all had a profound impact on her recovery. Anne was and continues to be an inspiration to many who are reluctant to try an assisted-living environment. Like the Sisters who comforted Anne and made her feel welcome in her new home, our team believes in living our Mission and in nurturing our relationship with God – this is what is means to be Franciscan. We unite by providing a service that families alone cannot – by turning to God, trusting his guidance and taking a holistic approach to healing. This is what makes our Village special and unique. This year has been especially difficult with the restrictions and spread brought to us by COVID-19. In the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis, we continue to provide compassionate care and value each resident’s life with intentional perpetuation in everything we do. Similar to how Anne was led by her faith to heal, overcome fear and adapt to her environment, YOUR support will enable all our current and future residents the highest quality of long-term care. We ask that you remember YOUR family and share in the celebration of Anne’s life – and the legacies of all those who have passed, are cared for by us and will join us to extend life through your generosity. During these holidays, we focus on thanksgiving, reconciliation and gratitude. We are on the upswing from this tumultuous year and ask you join in our mission to end 2020 with empathy and support. Please join us. Please lead by example. Please help us and our residents. Like Anne Saliga did… Please let your faith guide you, be an inspiration and give.
“People who live their life in prayer live in peace because the stresses of life are gone. I am at peace.”
From the entire Village at Marymount, we thank you for your consideration and wish you a peaceful, safe and healthy holiday season. May God bless you and your families.
The Village at Marymount is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax ID: 20-5652595).
Why Give to The Village at Marymount
As a faithful steward of God’s resources, your support of The Village at Marymount allows us to continue our Mission to provide an environment of Compassion, Competence, and Celebration of Life to all entrusted to this community of care. What better way to use His resources than to help others to enhance their quality of life?
Vincent Farinacci To Lead Development Initiatives
Vincent Farinacci has joined The Village at Marymount as senior director of donor advising. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of fundraising and comprehensive campaign planning on behalf of The Village at Marymount and strengthening its philanthropic efforts in partnership with Marymount Health Care Systems.
Farinacci brings to The Village at Marymount more than 14 years of experience as a senior leader and fundraising professional.
Preceding his current role, Farinacci served as St. Vincent Charity Medical Center’s senior director of development, helping to lead the major gift fundraising team to the hospital’s $50 million campaign, “Care Beyond Medicine”. In this role, he secured philanthropic commitments to advance capital improvements, expansion of their Rosary Hall drug addiction program and funding focused on education, research, and workforce development for the health system.
Farinacci started his fundraising career at the Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute and worked in a major gifts and leadership capacity for both Oberlin College and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. He is a graduate of the University of Dayton and has an MBA from Ursuline College. A native Clevelander, Farinacci resides in Rocky River where he enjoys hiking, golf, Lake Erie activities, Cleveland’s cultural arts where he is a member of The Cleveland Museum of Art and a frequent visitor to our orchestra’s performances at the Severance Hall and University Circle.
“The Village at Marymount plays a vital role by providing a wide range of continual care services,” Farinacci said. “As a devout Catholic, I understand the compassionate and intentional approach The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis provide to each patient – especially in the wake of a global pandemic.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to work on behalf of this faith-based organization through the mission by involving the philanthropic community to support this environment of compassionate care and valuing and celebrating each resident’s life,” Farinacci said.
Ways To Give
A gift to The Village at Marymount supports the continuation of excellence in health care and the many programs and initiatives that make us a premier health care institution and provider for our community.
Your Support Makes A Distinct Difference!
Philanthropy is a vital source of revenue. Your generosity allows The Village at Marymount to sustain and enhance our tradition of excellence in assisting Northeast Ohio residents. As 501c3 charitable organization, The Village at Marymount strives to improve the quality of life for our residents through the support of health-related programs primarily directed throughout Northeast Ohio.
We invite you to invest in The Village at Marymount. It is only with ongoing and generous support that we can maintain our traditions of excellence in personalized health care.
- Gifts to The Village at Marymount are investments that will reap extraordinary academic and societal dividends.
- You are helping to maintain the building and programs of The Village at Marymount.
- Corporations and foundations look to the total percentage of donor participation in giving before choosing who they will support – 100% participation is best.
- Your gift is tax-deductible!
You will be recognized in The Village at Marymount’s Villager newsletter and Annual Report.
How Do I Give?
Philanthropic support for The Village at Marymount includes contributions to the Annual Fund, Legacy Giving, Corporate and Foundation Support, In-kind donations, dedicated volunteerism, and Special Event Donations – like the annual Celebration of Life Gala.
Annual Support: Your outright gift of cash is the simplest method of giving, and when unrestricted, allows the greatest flexibility to meet immediate priorities. Donations made to a specific program also make an invaluable impact.
Corporate and Foundation Support: Supporting The Village at Marymount can help your corporation or firm stand out in a highly competitive environment. Partnering with us creates an opportunity to involve your employees in a significant cause, raise funds through your business, and invite your consumers or suppliers to have an impact in their community.
There are many opportunities for corporate partners of The Village at Marymount to be recognized for generously advancing the health care community and those it touches. To discuss opportunities to make a distinct difference in our community, please call the Development Office at 216-332-1751.
Endowments: Endowments provide permanent, annual support of The Village at Marymount and are a wonderful way to honor a family member, friend, or mentor, while establishing a permanent legacy and inspiring others.
Tribute Gifts: By choosing to honor a friend, family member, cherished mentor, or to even commemorate a special milestone, you can make a meaningful and lasting contribution throughout Northeast Ohio.
In-kind Support: In-kind donations are another great way for individuals, corporations, and firms to consider giving back.
Matching Gifts: Tell your employer about your gift. As a private, 501(c)3, non-profit organization, The Village at Marymount qualifies for employers’ matching gifts. Contributions are tax-deductible fully allowable.
Planned Giving: However you and your professional adviser structure your planned gift, you will leave a legacy for future generations. Including The Village at Marymount in your estate planning can be as simple as naming us as a beneficiary in your will, or as sophisticated as establishing a charitable gift annuity which would provide you with an income stream for life.
To explore the tax-wise benefits of planned giving, please call the Development Office at 216-332-1751.
Special Events: Sponsorship of and participation in special events are great ways to support the mission of The Village at Marymount. To learn more about the Celebration of Life Gala and other special events, visit our website at: www.villageatmarymount.org.
United Way: You can designate your gift to us through United Way! Just make us the designee on your United Way form.
Volunteerism: We don’t just need your treasure. We also need your time and talents. Volunteers are an integral part of The Village at Marymount’s family. Whether you are interested in supporting our residents directly or supporting our staff “behind the scenes,” we may have an important role for you. To learn more about the volunteering opportunities with The Village at Marymount, please contact our Director of Development at 216-332-1751.
The Village at Marymount
Office of Development
5200 Marymount Village Drive
Garfield Heights OH 44125
p: 216-332-1751
f: 216-332-1619
The Village at Marymount
2018 Annual Report
2018 Annual Report: The Story of ‘Us’
Read our 2018 Annual Report (simply click on the link), which chronicles the Story of ‘Us’ on the Marymount Intergenerational Health and Education Campus.
2017 Annual Report: 10 Years of Our History
Read our 2017 Annual Report (simply click on the cover), which chronicles 10 years of living the Sisters’ mission and helping thousands of residents live life to the fullest.
