“I knew I still had a lot of life in front of me, but only if I was willing to face that change with courage. Here I am at age 95, and I’m facing changes with courage every day.”
Marilyn Sefret has shown courage throughout her long and happy life.
“I was born and raised in Baltimore,” said Marilyn. “I was married to my husband, Jules, for 40 years, and we had a wonderful life there together. We had lots of friends. We had a beautiful daughter, Susan, and two beautiful grandchildren, Josh and Rachel. Unfortunately, I became a widow when I was just 62 years old. I knew I still had a lot of life in front of me, but only if I was willing to face that change with courage. Here I am at age 95, and I’m facing changes with courage every day.”
Marilyn’s daughter, Susan Wenger, wanted her mother to live closer. “It was starting to get difficult for Mom to travel back and forth from Baltimore to Voorhees to spend time with her grandchildren and four great grandchildren,” said Susan. “We all knew that Lions Gate would be the best place for her. She wanted a community with Jewish values, and we wanted her to have access to a full continuum of care. She moved into Independent Living in 2016 when she was 86 years old. She loved it from the minute she moved in! As I finished unpacking boxes on her move-in day, she was eager to eat dinner in the dining room to meet her new neighbors.”
“Bubbie is a social butterfly,” said Marilyn’s granddaughter, Rachel Welner. “Bridge, Mahjongg, lectures, concerts, she does it all!”
Marilyn had a stroke two years ago. “We are eternally grateful for Lions Gate,” said Susan. “Everyone that works here is truly invested in my mother’s care. They are all genuinely kind, caring, and compassionate. With their help, my mother came through a difficult situation on top. She is a warrior.”
After the stroke, Marilyn transitioned from Independent Living into Assisted Living. “The environment speaks for itself,” said Susan. “This is ACTIVE Assisted Living. Mom plays Mahjongg and Rummikub, goes to all the entertainment and happy hours, does the flower arranging class, and goes out to lunch and on day trips. She even gets her hair done in the salon here. She still has her independence, but she’s gained support where she needs it.”
“It takes courage to accept transitions with grace, but that’s what I did,” said Marilyn. “Lions Gate is where I belong.”
“My mother trusts that her family and Lions Gate will work together to make good decisions about her care,” said Susan. “And we do. We are a team. Everyone on the staff is so reassuring and helpful. I can’t express my gratitude enough for 8 great years here. Lions Gate is just wonderful.”
