Saint Ann Retirement Center celebrates 18 years

In January 2002, Hampton Lawter walked to the front door of Saint Ann Retirement Center on the first day it opened – before the building was even unlocked. Eighteen years later, he’s still happily residing in the assisted living community at Saint Ann.
 
Lawter laughed as he recalled his first night there. “There was only one table in the dining room, and I was the only resident there. I spent the night alone!”
 
Jan. 15 marked the 18 ^th anniversary of the opening of the center, which is comprised of 120 independent living apartments and 50 assisted living residences. In the first year of operation, 25 residents moved in. Today, it is home to nearly 200 people.
 
Along with Lawter, three staff members also have been with Saint Ann from day one. LaTrona Fulbright now serves as administrator of assisted living. Crystal Siggins manages a busy front desk in the independent living section and Daree Kuykendall serves as executive chef/food service director. Father Price Grimes celebrated the very first Mass at Saint Ann in the dining room and continues to celebrate Mass several days a week.
 
Lawter repeatedly praised the staff for their unceasing smiles, warmth and genuine concern for his well-being. Fulbright is notably proud of Saint Ann Assisted Living’s zero-deficiency status on state surveys conducted by the state for the past two years.
 
Mission and Community Relations Director Richard Amend joined Saint Ann in 2006.
 
“I always had felt a calling toward Saint Ann,” he said. “I had talked to Archbishop Beltran about it and a few months later, he offered me a job! We have been blessed with a beautiful community here, and there is a lot we want to share about it. The camaraderie of the people here is so amazing!”
 
Residents watch sporting events together in the 200-seat event theater, check out books from the library, play cards in the game room and relax at the “hydration station” with a drink from the coffee bar. Never passing up a reason to celebrate any holiday, the Saint Ann staff goes all out to create a festive atmosphere, celebrating everything from National Hat Day to Cinco De Mayo, including themed meals.
 
Onsite there are two full-service beauty salons, a 100-seat chapel and a convent that houses the Carmelite sisters of Saint Therese of the Infant Jesus.
 
“It is so beautiful to see them walking around,” Amend said. “Sister Barbara Joseph lives here with us! They’re all regulars here at Saint Ann, they eat with us and participate in our activities. People are really surprised to find out that they live here!”
 
Following their move from Villa Teresa in 2014, the sisters resided in the independent living apartments while the convent was under construction. A walkway connects the convent to Saint Ann.
 
Saint Joachim Chapel originally was built as a prayer chapel, seating only 40 people. Eventually, it was enlarged to its current capacity.
 
Several years after he moved in, Lawter married a fellow Saint Ann resident in the chapel – the only wedding ceremony to ever be performed there. Sunlight beams down through the chapel’s breathtaking stained-glass windows, providing what Lawter described as “a certain feeling of warmth going to Mass.” Mass is celebrated in the chapel daily at 9:30 a.m. and is open to the public. 
 
Saint Ann also has been home to many retired priests. Although there is a strong Catholic presence, residents of all denominations live and worship at Saint Ann. In addition to daily Mass, all-faith services are offered weekly on Sundays and a Bible study group called Joy Club meets every Friday.
 
“We encourage people to come look and see what a wonderful community we have here,” Marketing Director Bridget Clark said.
 
Sally Linhart is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.

Saint Ann Retirement Center
7501 W. Britton Rd., OKC
saintannretirementcenter.com
(405) 721-0747

Photo: St. Ann Retirement Center recently celebrated its 18th anniversary. Pictured are resident Hampton Lawter and employees Crystal Siggins, Daree Kuykendall and LaTrona Fulbright, who have been at St. Ann since it opened in 2002. Photo provided.