At Saint Therese of Oxbow Lake, an unexpected connection between an educator and a priest reveals how kindness endures across generations
It’s not every day that you get to say there’s something in the water at Saint Therese of Oxbow Lake , but maybe there is. Because once again, love has bloomed among its residents. This July, two familiar faces said, “I do,” marking the second time in just a few years that neighbors became newlyweds within this Brooklyn Park community. The first resident couple to marry at Oxbow Lake exchanged vows a few years ago, setting a joyful precedent. And now, Frank Barry and Nancy Cullen have joined their ranks — proving that companionship and joy don’t fade with time; they simply take new forms. Finding Each Other at Home Both Frank and Nancy had lived full lives before moving to Oxbow Lake. Each had lost a beloved spouse — Frank’s wife, Julie, passed away in January 2024, and Nancy’s husband several years before. When Nancy moved into the community two years ago, and Frank three, neither imagined that life here might lead to a new marriage. But as Oxbow Lake Executive Director Christine DeLander put it, “People come from all walks of life and they meet a companion here. The sense of community is strong. Residents take it upon themselves to socialize; every floor hosts its own weekly get-together, and once a month we bring everyone together for an independent living social. It’s very resident-driven.” A Dance, a Smile, and a Second Chance Their story actually began some time ago, when Frank’s late wife, Julie, introduced him to Nancy. The two only crossed paths briefly then, but life found a way for them to reconnect. After Julie passed away, Frank admits he struggled to adjust. “When Julie died, I fell apart,” he recalled. “One of my friends kept saying, ‘Get over yourself and find a date for the senior prom!’” (The Senior Prom was a big event Oxbow Lake held each year.) Eventually, he took that advice and asked Nancy. “She was in a cast, and we still danced,” he said. It was an easy, lighthearted evening that marked the beginning of a comfortable companionship, something steady and kind that simply fit.
Sometimes the smallest of acts, or in this case, the smallest of instruments, can make the biggest difference. This is true at Saint Therese – IHM Senior Living in Monroe, Mich., where resident Jack Schwab has turned his lifelong love of music into a joyful community tradition. Jack’s Journey with Music Jack grew up on a dairy farm in Deshler, Ohio, in a family where music was always encouraged. His mother, who never had the chance to play an instrument herself, worked tirelessly to ensure her children could. Jack picked up the trumpet as a boy and learned to read music, setting the stage for a lifetime of melodies. In his early years, Jack considered the priesthood, spending some time in seminary before realizing his true calling was in community work. He went on to spend most of his career in community action for the banking industry, where he specialized in helping people access opportunities for homeownership and lending. Music, however, was always close at hand. When his first wife passed away in 2010, Jack found solace in a ukulele that had been in his family for years. What started as a way to cope with grief became a source of healing and joy. Later, after traveling to Hawaii with his wife Anne, Jack came home with a renewed passion for the ukulele. By 2016, after retiring, Jack had founded a ukulele club. The group performed in care centers until the pandemic put gatherings on hold. When he moved into Saint Therese – IHM in 2022, Jack decided it was time to start again. Building Community Through Song With the support of the Saint Therese Foundation, which purchased ukuleles and music stands, Jack launched a weekly ukulele group. Every Tuesday morning, residents gather with Jack to learn songs ranging from “Happy Birthday” to nostalgic favorites. Staff members like Cassie Dillon often join in, and Jack encourages everyone to practice a little each day: “It’s simple, and I can teach it,” he says.
