The Mary Rose Estates community in Willoughby Hills hosted its Thanksgiving celebration this week, a tradition that takes place with the help of Great Lakes Realty. Administrative Assistant Mariana Stachnik, who helps coordinate the residents, meals and activities at Mary Rose, observed that the tradition brings people together and makes them feel alive. “I think it’s always a loved affair,” she said. “In that age group, people get lonely. Many friends are gone, and maybe family members are busy living their lives. This is a one-person office, so no matter what’s going on, I will be involved to make life for people here more pleasant.” Holiday get togethers take place annually at Mary Rose Estates in Willoughby Hills, a 40-unit senior living facility. (Gloria Majeski)Holiday get togethers take place annually at Mary Rose Estates in Willoughby Hills, a 40-unit senior living facility. (Gloria Majeski)Holiday get togethers take place annually at Mary Rose Estates in Willoughby Hills, a 40-unit senior living facility. (Gloria Majeski)Holiday get togethers take place annually at Mary Rose Estates in Willoughby Hills, a 40-unit senior living facility. (Gloria Majeski)Show Caption1 of 4Holiday get togethers take place annually at Mary Rose Estates in Willoughby Hills, a 40-unit senior living facility. (Gloria Majeski)Expand Stachnik calls Mary Rose “her baby” as she not only manages the building and ensures that it is up to par, but strives to make sure people living there are as happy as possible. “My real desire is to make sure it’s like home,” she said. “We built a community room with a kitchen so people can come cook or have their families over because apartments are basically for one person. Now, they can bring family, have events and get together. We do a lot of that.” About 70 percent of the residents partake in get-togethers Mary Rose hosts, Stachnik observed. “We have a couple musicians who also donate their talents to make people happier,” she said. Holiday get togethers take place annually at Mary Rose Estates in Willoughby Hills, a 40-unit senior living facility. (Gloria Majeski) On Dec. 16, the senior residents living in Mary Rose will be treated to an annual holiday luncheon, hosted by community volunteers and catered by LaVera of Willoughby Hills. According to Mary Rose board member Gloria Majeski, this tradition started several years ago and is the only Christmas dinner that some of the residents experience. With the help of Carl Santagata and his team at LaVera, Majeski is able to provide a meal and a fun afternoon for the 40-unit senior living facility. Majeski has also recruited three of her friends who make it an annual event to make 40 boxes of homemade candy for the luncheon. “In one of the boxes, there is always a special treat, affording them the privilege of the beautiful holiday basket,” she said. “The residents enjoy this each year and always love the excitement of the winner.” While much work goes into pulling off the luncheon, it proves that when people work together, good things happen, Majeski said. “The spirit of giving is certainly alive and well this holiday season once again as we prepare to take care of our friends at Mary Rose,” she said.