Couple marry at Joliet skilled nursing center

Couple marry at Joliet skilled nursing center

Oct. 27 was a landmark day in the nearly 30-year history of Provena Villa Franciscan in Joliet. What started as a chance meeting six years ago in the lobby of the Stevenson Gardens senior high-rise building, also in Joliet, blossomed into a love affair for two of its residents, Ron and Wanda Barker.

Wanda, a 65-year-old short-stay patient, went into Provena Villa Franciscan three months ago to receive rehabilitation services after experiencing what doctors diagnosed as a light stroke.

Once Wanda was on the road to recovery, Ron, 74, came to a realization: He was ready to marry Wanda, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health and sooner rather than later.

"I went down to the clerk's office last week to apply for a marriage license thinking it would take a while to get and that we'd get married after Wanda came home, but it was ready right away," said Ron. "I wanted to get married as soon as possible, so I said to myself, 'We'll get married at Provena Villa Franciscan.' "

And that they did. After finding out that the facility would play host to a wedding, the employees at Provena Villa Franciscan banded together into a team of wedding coordinators.

"It's not every day that we get to plan a wedding for one of our patients or residents, so this was a very exciting event for all of us," said Melissa Adams, assistant administrator.

"From donating flowers, balloons, a cake and more to helping Wanda prepare for the ceremony by doing her makeup and taking her to our beauty shop, many employees pitched in to make their wedding as special as possible," Adams said. "It really showed how well our employees work together and more importantly, how much they care about our patients and residents."

In keeping with tradition, Wanda threw her bouquet, and the couple enjoyed feeding each other a piece of cake. "I had that icing all over my shirt!" recalled Ron. Wanda's sister, Margaret, toasted the happy couple.

Although the ceremony was a happy occasion, there was one minor glitch. "I had a 'senior moment,' " said Ron. "The judge asked if I had the rings, and I had forgotten them in Wanda's room."

Barker quickly retrieved them and the ceremony continued.

Next on the newlyweds' agenda?

"Wanda is scheduled to return home soon, and we hope to take a honeymoon to my hometown in West Virginia in the near future," Ron said.