Touching Lives
Designed with your comfort and ease of lifestyle in mind
At Heritage Woods of Ottawa, your affordable assisted lifestyle community in Ottawa, Illinois, your new home awaits you
Heritage Woods of Ottawa is proud to provide a choice of apartment floor plans, each designed with your comfort and ease of lifestyle in mind. Our spacious apartments are designed with a living room area, kitchenette, full private bathroom and individually controlled air temperature.
The Stuhr’s: Loving Life here at Heritage Woods of Ottawa
Daryl and Lillian Stuhr are fairly new to Heritage Woods of Ottawa, having moved here in May of this year. They celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on June 6, 2020. When asked how they made their marriage so strong for so many years Daryl replied, “We never wanted to fight around our kids, and they were always around, so we just never fought!”
They are a dear couple who look out for each other every minute of the day. They enjoy walks around Heritage Wood’s grounds when the weather is nice, and indoors when it is not. They like that we have different apartment layouts available and decided on the two bedroom, two bathroom combo. They made a small tv room out of the second bedroom, where they spend time puzzling or listening to the news. The Stuhr’s daughter, Mariann, is in Arizona and likes our virtual visiting option. They all enjoy the video chats and being able to see the person they are speaking to on the screen. Technology can be tricky for older individuals so it’s a nice to be able to offer this to our residents.
Mariann is very involved in her parent’s lives so this works out well, and she has voiced that it gives her a sense of content to be able to see her parents occasionally, rather than just speaking to them on the telephone. The Stuhr’s are a wonderful addition to the Heritage Woods of Ottawa community. We hope they enjoy many more anniversaries here and look forward to continuing to provide them with the care and support they need.
From Mariann, “I have been very impressed with the quality of professional, patient and gentle care my parents have received since they moved in to Heritage Woods. This is especially impressive since they moved in during the COVID-19 pandemic. My parents adjusted well and enjoy the staff as well as the extra amenities Such as laundry and meal service. I really appreciate the ability to send photographs to be printed and delivered, plus being able to Zoom. My parents absolutely enjoy these, too. I have also appreciated the good communication and quick feedback regarding questions and requests I have. The staff is more than willing to go above and beyond for my parents care and happiness. My parents feel safe and are content. I couldn’t ask for more. Thank you, Heritage Woods!” 
Community Organizes Spontaneous Drive-By Parade
“Ottawa residents define what a caring community should be.”
On Friday, March 20, Ottawa resident Danielle Jackson contacted Heritage Woods of Ottawa’s resident services coordinator with a suggestion.
“I want to have a drive-by parade for your residents to show that the community is thinking about them. Can we make this happen?”
Of course our response was absolutely! Tonya Mitre, whose mother resides at Heritage Woods, along with Danielle, took to social media to advertise the parade. None of us were sure what the response would be, or if there would even be a response. What happened next was nothing less than amazing! Less than 24 hours later, the cars and families were excitedly lining up!
Vehicles were decorated with colorful balloons and homemade signs. Many participants brought their dogs along for the parade too. There were family members, lots of grandchildren and great grandchildren, staff members of Heritage Woods and even complete strangers involved in the parade. Moms commented on how fun it was for their children to make the signs and how serious they took this important matter!
Once the cars arrived at Heritage Woods and started to slowly pull in and beep horns, the residents began appearing curiously at their windows. The kids were smiling and happy to be there. The residents were smiling and waving, their faces lighting up when they recognized one of their very own loved ones. Staff members were crying at the sight of such a touching tribute from the community. The atmosphere at Heritage Woods in that moment was palpable. The parade drove through the grounds multiple times so everyone would get a chance to see each vehicle. We even had a black hot rod show up!
Ottawa residents define what a caring community should be: people who care about one another and go out of their way to come up with a unique and creative alternative to reach out and help someone, even when social distancing applies. Heritage Woods of Ottawa is proud to be a part of this community and will continue to strive to make it better every day.
Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday!
We have a special couple at HW celebrating their 66th wedding anniversary today but it is also BOTH of their birthdays as well! Happy Anniversary & Happy Birthday to Junko & Mutsuo!
