A Life in Motion - A Victorian Village Testimonial

For Mark and his wife, Ellen, life has always been about movement, whether rowing on the water, hiking trails, or simply staying active together. Their journey from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Chicago’s south suburbs has been shaped by a deep passion for physical activity and an even deeper commitment to family.

Mark’s love for rowing began in high school in Marietta, Ohio, a town nestled along the banks of the Ohio River. At the only high school in Ohio with a rowing program, his early exposure to the sport became a defining part of his identity. As a valedictorian and a dedicated student, he found in rowing something more than a sport; it became a source of purpose and belonging. “It changed his life,” Ellen shares. “He wasn’t just another student anymore. Rowing gave him discipline, purpose, and a team that felt like family.”

His dedication carried him to Yale University, where he continued to row competitively and practiced on the Housatonic River. The physical and mental demands of the sport shaped his resilience. “Rowing is one of the most complete workouts there is,” his wife explains. It builds strength, endurance, and muscle memory.” Decades later, that same muscle memory remains, giving Mark a greater level of physical strength despite the challenges of a progressive neurological disease.

After meeting at work in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Mark and his wife married, started their careers, and eventually moved to Chicago in 1981 for Mark to attend graduate school. Though they loved the city, family ties pulled them back east, settling in Pittsburgh, where they raised two boys and one girl.

As empty nesters, they returned to rowing, this time together. “Mark joined a rowing club first, and I went to all the races and the regattas,” she recalls. “But his coach convinced me to try it, and I rowed for over a decade myself.”

Their passion for the sport extended beyond competition. Pittsburgh is very hilly, with rivers close to their home, and when they weren’t rowing, they were out walking, hiking, and staying active in their tight-knit community. When Mark's condition began to change, they began their search for a ranch-style home, a style that is almost impossible to find in Pennsylvania.

“We lived in a three-story house typical for Pittsburgh, but it just wasn’t practical anymore,” Ellen explains. Their daughter, who lived near Victorian Village, sent them a listing for a house in the Chicago suburbs, and it felt like fate. “It checked every box. We saw it in December of 2021 and moved in February, in the middle of a pandemic and a 20-inch snowstorm.”

Even after relocating to Illinois, Mark and his wife sought out walking groups and ways to stay engaged in the outdoors. As Mark’s mobility declined, they focused on finding the proper care. They originally booked a respite care stay at Victorian Village and loved it. After a short hospital stay, Mark entered the Rehabilitation unit. They explored other options, but this quickly became their community of choice. They put down a deposit for an Assisted Living apartment. His decline necessitated Mark’s move to Skilled Nursing in the Small House, a decision that, in retrospect, worked out for the better.

From the moment we walked in, it didn’t feel like an institution—it felt like home,” she says.

“It’s where family visits aren’t just welcomed; they’re embraced. We can celebrate birthdays, watch movies together, and be ourselves.”

The staff and residents have become an extended family, and their youngest grandchild, Daniel, has become a local favorite. Charming everyone with his energy and curiosity, he plays games and brings so much joy to everyone,” Ellen said.

Even in this new chapter, Mark’s rowing spirit remains. His physical therapist often used rowing commands like “Power Ten” to push through therapy sessions. “It’s a little thing, but it keeps Mark connected to that part of himself,” his wife explains.

Though their rowing days are behind them, their love for the sport, movement, and each other continues. “Rowing taught Mark discipline and endurance, but it also gave him peace,” she reflects. “When you’re on the water, it’s quiet. It’s just you and the rhythm of the oars. That’s what he loved most.”

Now, in a place where comfort and care come first, that sense of peace and rhythm remains; this time, in the steady support of a community that truly feels like home.