Pat Sabo never expected to strike up a close friendship with someone half her age, but life has a way of sending you the people you need in your life at just the right time.

“I moved into Lions Gate’s Assisted Living community when I was 76,” said Pat. “My daughter helped my husband and I get settled in at Lions Gate, but it was all so new and unfamiliar. Then I met Ronya, and she was just lovely. She is a wonderful nurse…very efficient and knowledgeable. She took the time to get to know me and brought that little extra kindness to every conversation we had. The two of us have become genuine friends, and that was exactly what I needed. She’s so reassuring and supportive.”

“I’m a nurturer,” said Ronya. “At the end of my shift Pat and I chatted, and we found out we have so much in common. Pat is someone special to me. I’m just grateful to be part of her life.”

It was obvious to Pat how special the culture of care is at Lions Gate. “As a nurse, I know Ronya is focused on keeping my body healthy,” said Pat, “but I can honestly say that having her as a friend keeps my spirits up, too. She is always so positive and upbeat, and that has a big impact on my outlook on life. I’m grateful to live here.”

“As an employee, I credit the Lions Gate administration as going above and beyond to support the staff,” said Ronya. “That peace of mind gives me the extra energy to go above and beyond to support the residents. The residents are rarely alone here. They’re always busy with activities and entertainment. But they also interact with the staff all the time. Between the weekly housekeeping check-in for laundry and cleaning, and the daily visits with the nursing staff and aides, we get to know each other very well. And we also develop strong relationships with the adult children who visit their parent here often. I’ve met all of Pat’s children and grandchildren. Before you know it, we’re all family to each other.”

For Pat and Ronya, there’s always something to bond over. “We talk about our kids a lot,” said Pat. “Ronya and I just swapped stories of how we met our husbands. Both of our husbands were out on dates with other girls when they met us. Different eras, same happily ever after. We got a big laugh out of it.”

“I’m a listener,” said Ronya. “I love the stories. I’ve worked with the Assisted Living residents here for 15 years, and I can tell when each one of them is having a good day or a bad day. When we take the time to listen to each other, the days end up mostly being good. Just look at Pat. She loves everyone, and that makes it easy to love her in return. That always makes for a good day.”

The Assisted Living community is so lucky to have both Pat and Ronya to brighten the halls here at Lions Gate!