Ernest & Jane Eddy
Jane and Ernie met while they were students at Oberlin College and raised their family nearby. For a while they moved away from the area, trying out traditional retirement destinations like New Mexico and North Carolina, but when they found they were missing family and friends they moved back.
They moved into their cottage at Kendal at Oberlin on October 18, 1993. It was so nostalgic coming back to Oberlin and living at Kendal with college classmates like Lois and Hugh McCorkle, as well as with former professors and their widows.
Jane recalls the experience as a “true adventure to take an active part in the development of this wonderful retirement community.” And take part she did, from helping to set up of the library and teaching health and fitness classes to serving as an elected member of KORA Council, including two years as KORA's second president. Jane led a program to teach line dancing to other residents, and in 2004 she organized the Kendal Computer Users Group. Today she is deeply engaged with planning for the 20th anniversary celebration of Kendal at Oberlin and the project to create a new Memory Book.
People make the difference, their talents and diverse skills, and this is true for residents and staff alike. Jane and Ernie enjoy the range of intellectual, artistic, physical, social, and emotional activities and services that Kendal at Oberlin and the Oberlin community have to offer
Ernie enjoys woodworking and helping others with repairs and projects, and is a stalwart member of the woodshop. He likes helping with the RAFF Shop, which he spearheaded when he organized the initial Kendal rummage sale held at First Church in 1994. For many years he was the person who handled used car sales for the RAFF Shop. Ernie's other main interests are family, reading, and exercise.
The whole Eddy family is glad for the guarantee of appropriate health care as life changes. As Ernie said, “of all the moves made in my life, coming to Kendal has been the best!” Making the decision to move to Kendal and making the move independently has been their greatest gift to their children. “The children are very thankful we thought ahead.”
In fact, the advice they would give to anyone considering a move is to do it early, to simplify and not bring too much, and to keep your sense of humor.