Hawthorne Estates

Hawthorne Estates: Stylish Independent Living

the way retirement should be

Tending to the needs of the residents of Hawthorne Estates has been Jeanette Murillo’s job for the past 14 years. Murillo is the assistant property manager of the independent living facility in southwest Ocala and sees her job as being part caretaker and part life enricher.

“As part of the lifestyle that we provide, they’re pretty much independent and we’re pretty much supportive,” she said. “We’re here as a support team. They’re independent; we’re here to help them.”

Hawthorne Estates, located at 3211 SW 42nd St., Ocala, provides independent living in an affordable, resort-style setting. Its 93 spacious units provide residents with their own residence with an array of services from meals and utilities to recreation and social activities.

“The owners specialize in providing quality living options for seniors,” said Susie Carey, Hawthorne Estates’ onsite property manager.

Retired mechanical engineer Jack Lippo moved into Hawthorne Estates in September and said it has turned out to be much better than he expected.

“It’s a nice place,” said the 86-year-old Lippo, who has written two books on the Bible’s Book of Revelations since retiring and teaches a Bible study group at Hawthorne. “I like the room I have. I looked at a couple of other places, but I chose this one because it was newer and closer to (State Road) 200 where my friends and church are.”

Lippo also said Hawthorne is “reasonably priced” compared to other independent living facilities in Ocala and, importantly, “I can come and go as I want.”

He has a studio apartment, which he describes as “a nice, comfortable place.”

“I like it,” Lippo said. “You get two good meals a day and they treat you really good. They’re very kind and they try to help you out if you have a problem.

“It’s turned out better than I expected.”

The Army vet also likes the fact that at Hawthorne Estates, the only bill residents have to pay is for their cell phone.

All utilities — again, except for your personal phone — are part of the monthly rental package. That means electric, water and sewer, cable TV, wireless internet and trash removal.

Hawthorne residents also can schedule transportation on the facility’s van through the front desk, or they are welcome to have their own vehicle, with free parking on the property.

For those who want to see a doctor without having to leave the facility, Carey said Hawthorne Estates has an outside concierge physician service that will come and treat residents in their homes.

“You don’t even have to leave your apartment and go sit in a doctor’s office,” she said.

One the things resident Jim Stacy likes

Resident Jack Lippo Resident Jim Stacey

Honoring our Veterans

person to greet visitors to Hawthorne Estates, being a source of information about Ocala is a big part of her job. Whether they need home health services or to find a decent car mechanic, she said the Hawthorne Estates staff strives to help residents, many of whom are new to the area, navigate daily challenges. They also keep an eye on residents.

“If we notice a resident has a sudden change of routine, like they don’t come down for breakfast, we go to their room and check on the client to make sure everything is OK,” she said.

Murillo said the Hawthorne Estates staff sees it as their job to “enrich the lives of residents” by providing them with a safe and enjoyable place to live. She sees Hawthorne Estates as a sort of “second retirement” for most residents, one that should be fun and active.

“Eat, sleep and be merry, that is basically what this is,” Murillo said.

Both Lippo and Stacy said their apartments at Hawthorne Estates are roomy and the facility provides them housekeeping service weekly.

Residents at Hawthorne Estates have a number of options when it comes to what kind of apartment they want. They can choose between studio, one-bedroom and

two-bedroom units. The apartments have a modern kitchen, individual heating and cooling units, plush wall-to-wall carpeting, a large bathroom with safety features, spacious closets, blinds, screened porches and smoke alarms and a sprinkler system. For residents of Hawthorne Estates, its all-inclusive living is a major selling point. Again, two meals a day and all utilities — except for your personal phone -- are part of the package, including electric, water and sewer, cable TV, wireless internet and trash removal. Hawthorne Estates is a smoke-free facility, too. In addition to all that, residents are provided weekly apartment cleaning as well as weekly linen service. Laundry facilities are located in convenient areas throughout the facility, although personal laundry service is also available for an extra fee. Carey summed Hawthorne Estates living about living at Hawthorne Estates is the ac- by saying, “It’s not what you’re giving up in a tivities for residents. private residence, it’s about what you’re gaining.”

“They have a lot of activities,” said Sta- Anyone interested in checking Hawcy, a retired utility company employee who thorne Estates out is invited to attend any of moved to Ocala from Iowa. “They have a the Friday night Happy Hours. happy hour (on Fridays), exercise classes, bingo and a substantial free library.

“I do a lot of reading and they have a pretty decent library here,” he said.

Like Lippo, the 77-year-old Stacy says life in Hawthorne Estates is pleasant and the staff is available and “responsive to residents’ needs.”

“I like it here,” he said, noting he moved in five months ago. “The place is clean . They’ve got good staff. I’m pleased with it. They’re good people here. They take care of you. This is as good of a place as there is around.”

One of the benefits of Hawthorne Estates for Stacy is that his wife, Karen, is a patient in the facility’s adjoining nursing home. By living in Hawthorne Estates, he can visit her anytime.

“She likes it over there, and I like that I can see her whenever I want,” he said.

For Murillo, who is likely to be the first

Residents enjoying a puzzle FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Hawthorne of Ocala 3211 SW 42nd St., Ocala hawthornevillageofocala.com (352) 237-7776, ext. 255

Assistant Property Manager Jeanette has been with Hawthorne for 14 years