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Anna Wondergem chose Windmere as her home because she wanted a place where she could use her God-given talents and continue living a meaningful, vibrant life.

“After my husband passed away, I thought that the Lord could use me here instead of just sitting home,” she said. “I was a bit lonely, and I had aunts and uncles who lived here that I visited many times. I knew it would be a place I’d really enjoy.”

Anna is an incredibly talented artist who creates original paintings of beautiful nature scenes and colorful flowers in various mediums, including oil paint and watercolor. Windmere’s close-knit, family-like community allows her to not only nurture her talents but also share them with her friends and neighbors.

“I love to paint,” she said. “I feel like I’m in heaven when I’m painting. It’s a gift from God. I’m lost when I get going: I can paint for six hours and not get tired.”

Anna not only decorates her suite with her original pieces – her work has also been displayed at Windmere, and she is often commissioned to create pieces for other residents. She is inspired to create by the beauty of nature and enjoys taking photographs of captivating scenery to paint, such as a breathtaking sunset, so that her work is always one of a kind.

“I’ll often see something and think, ‘That’s a perfect shot,’” she said. She recalled a time while on a drive with her husband when she was especially impressed with the way the sunlight was reflecting off the water of the swamp, illuminating the area. After asking her husband to pull the car over, she snapped a shot of the scenery and painted it. The piece won an award at Paterson College, where she was taking art classes, and the vice president of the school displayed it in his office for a year. The painting now hangs in her apartment at Windmere and is so popular that she has repainted it and sold it to several residents who wanted one for their own.

At 91, Anna is still painting and sharing her talents with the community. “I feel accomplished now,” she said with a smile. “I’ve sold a lot of my work, and I’m still selling it. I’m just an artist at heart.” 

Anna even creates greeting cards for all occasions featuring her artwork, displayed for sale on a rack in Windmere. She generously donates all proceeds from the greeting card sales back to the community that she’s loved since she moved in 16 years ago.

“I would recommend it to anybody,” she said. “I’m very happy here.”

Anna has enjoyed the active, engaging lifestyle at Windmere and the many activities and classes available. She even taught art classes for years, especially in her favorite medium, watercolors. She is appreciative not only for the talents God gave her but also for the community that helps her pursue her passions and share her work with others.

“I have the joy of the Lord in me all the time,” she said “I’m very thankful.”

Is Windmere Right for You?

If you’re looking for an engaging, vibrant community for older adults that encourages independence and fosters meaningful friendships, Windmere might be right for you! Our residential health care community effectively bridges the gap between independent and assisted living with a comfortable, cozy atmosphere and a legacy of care that you can trust. To learn even more about Windmere and what we can offer you, please call (973) 427-4087 or visit WindmereNJ.org/Contact-Us/.

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