18
May 13, 2014
Community
T
he Valley Catholic
Bishop McGrath blesses Villa Siena skilled
nursing addition
By Patricia Smith
Bishop Patrick J. McGrath blessed
the newly renovated nursing care unit
at Villa Siena, April 11, culminating five
years of remodel and reconstruction of
the historic facility.
Located in Mountain View, Villa
Siena is a four-acre senior living community sponsored by the Daughters
of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul. Villa
Siena is one of only two Catholic residential and nursing care facilities for
seniors in the area.
“It is a day of great joy,” Bishop
McGrath announced to the staff, volunteers and residents who took part in
the ceremony. “We are pleased to have
Villa Siena in the Diocese of San Jose
and the residents are a blessing to our
community.”
“First and foremost is the compassionate care and happiness of our residents,” said Executive Director Corine
Bernard. “Throughout our building
project, our leadership, staff and volunteers worked diligently to keep residents
informed. We wanted to be sure all of
their needs were met.”
According to Director of Development Scott Johnson, the renovation and
expansion project began on May 16, 2008
with a ground-breaking ceremony. “The
massive project was completed in three
phases,” he said. “Initial construction
began in January 2009 and was completed ahead of schedule in January 2014.”
Offering a wide range of services
from assisted and independent living
to skilled nursing care, the Mountain
View landmark had been stretched to its
limits for more than ten years. While incremental changes were implemented,
the facility no longer served the growing
population.
Improvements included increasing
the number of assisted living units
from 46 to 68. Additions also include a
wellness center, library, café, and learning center. The Nursing Care Unit now
features 30 beds – an addition of ten
beds, along with enhanced landscaping,
increased social and activity spaces, and
new furnishings.
The historic Wright House, an English Tudor-style home, which was relocated twice during the five-year project,
was built in 1928 by early settler William
Wright. In 1965, the property was sponsored by the Dominican community.
Mother Paula Hebel, OP, opened the
doors to aged, infirm ladies who wished
to make their home with the Sisters in
Villa Siena holds bocce ball tournament fundraiser
Villa Siena -- Senior Living Community in Mountain View held its fourth
annual Bocce Ball Tournament at Campo di Bocce, April 24. Proceeds support
Villa Siena in continuing its mission of providing comprehensive compassionate care to senior residents, after they have outlived their financial resources.
Twenty-two teams participated in round robin play, with the top 8 teams
then competing in the single elimination round. Winning team, Bernard/Costa
Team, included Joel Costa, Mayou Bernard, France Reilly, Chris Heiser, Bob
Brust, and Doug Fogel.
Second place was captured by Daughters of Charity “Team Two,” captained
by Sister Janet Barrett, DC, with Sister Lisa Laguna, DC, Mary McKenna Foley,
Sister Patricia Huffman, DC, Frank Foley and Sister Jean Marie Williams, DC.
Eight students from Notre Dame High School acted as court referees. Frank
Sunseri ran the live auction with donated items raising additional funds for the
Villa Siena Foundation. Visit www.villa-siena.org for more information.
www.valleycatholiconline.com
Bishop McGrath blesses new Nursing Care Unit at Villa Siena in Mountain View, lead by
Sister William Eileen Dunn, DC, Mission Services, and followed by Victor Trinidad, seminarian, Diocese of San Jose.
residence. It was named Siena Retreat in
honor of St. Catherine of Siena, patron
saint of the Dominicans. The property
was renamed Villa Siena in 1968.
“We assumed sponsorship in 1998
when strategic planning for the remodel
and expansion began,” said Sister Judith
Lynn Gardenhire, DC, Councillor for
Services to the Elderly, Daughters of
Charity, Province of the West. “This
project has been a group effort in light
of some real challenges. Our residents
played as much a part of this process as
everyone else.”
Since their foundation in Paris in
1633 by St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac, Daughters of Charity
have taken a leadership role throughout
the world in serving the sick, and those
living in poverty and marginalized by
society.
For more information about Villa
Siena, go to www.villa-siena.org, or call
650-961-6484.
Dianne Ravizza dies, Santa Clara