Don Chavanne, 82, said he used to believe that retirement and nursing homes were where “people went to die,” but that since moving into Villa Maria Retirement Center in June he “really started living.” After just one month at Villa Maria he said he “got a girlfriend.”

“The second month my daughter came by and said, ‘You are going to be a grandfather,’ so life has gotten more interesting for me the longer I’ve been here,” Chavanne said.

In conjunction with the retirement home’s 20th anniversary, an open house and public tours will be 10 a.m.-noon Sunday, Oct. 5. The nonprofit independent living facility for the elderly is at 3905 Kingston St., on Our Lady Queen of Heaven property. It will also be commemorating the founder of Villa Maria, Monsignor Irving A. DeBlanc, who would be celebrating his 100th birthday in October if he were still alive.

Wilda Morrison said she moved to Villa Maria in 2009 when there were “more than 10 things she couldn’t do” on her own anymore — the worst when she lost her ability to drive.

“If you can’t be at home, this is the place to be,” said Morrison, who will turn 85 in November. “I’ve been very happy here at Villa Maria. I have very nice friends. The activities are great, and I’m glad it has been here for 20 years.”

Morrison said her favorite games are bingo and card games.

“We have parties at just about every occasion,” she said. “In fact, my great-granddaughter said when she gets old she wants to come here. I hope it reaches the 100th anniversary.”

She said the staff is great and waits on her “hand and foot.”

“I’m getting to where I’m not worth a toot,” she said. “And when I go home to visit my relatives I expect to be waited on.”

She said that when Villa Maria was being built she would drive by on her way to work. “I never dreamed I would ever live here because in those days you think you’ll never get old,” Morrison said.

Jo Ann McDaniel Niles, administrator, said she is proud of Villa Maria for turning 20 years old. “We have been through a lot — two major storms and other challenges,” she said.

“Villa Maria was built to keep seniors active and healthy and not have to go to nursing homes as soon as they would go. We offer exercising and activities to keep their minds busy.”

Amenities include three meals a day, access to a fitness center and transportation.

“Hopefully we have fulfilled what (DeBlanc) wanted us to do for our seniors — to give them the best services possible and help them with their senior living,” Niles said. “It’s a blessing to be able to give back to seniors.”(Rick Hickman/American Press)