As Joe and Peggy Fierko contemplated a move that would make their lives easier to navigate, their son, Joe Jr., found the ideal home just three minutes down the road at Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill.
The couple were lucky enough to obtain a coveted spot at Masonic Village quickly, at the perfect time when an apartment had just been made available.
When they arrived at Masonic Village in 2021, Peggy stayed in the skilled nursing area due to complications from an operation. But after five months, she recovered, thanks to the quality of care she received there, and was able to join her husband in their apartment.
“I had visited friends here many times in the past,” Peggy said. “It made it easy [for my son] because I always complimented Masonic Village whenever we drove past it on Ridge Pike. When it was time to move, he made the arrangements for us to come here. He knew we’d be happy.”
Joe Jr. was particularly impressed by the value and the quality of the recently renovated community, noting that the “amazingly nice” apartment made the decision easy. “I knew they were going to like it,” he said.
While Joe Sr. moved solo into their new one-bedroom apartment, he was never more than a short distance away from Peggy, allowing him to be by her side daily throughout her recovery.
“The different levels of care were a big selling point,” Joe Jr. said, noting how the community’s design kept his parents connected even when they required different types of support.
The one-bedroom apartment proved to be an ideal fit. The couple immediately felt at home in the open-concept layout, which allowed them to stay connected and chat easily from the kitchen to the dining room. Practical features like the in-unit laundry provide convenience, and the spacious balcony became a favorite retreat for enjoying the spring and summer air.
“They loved that they could always see and talk to one another,” Joe Jr. noted. “And that large balcony gave them a beautiful space to soak in the nice weather.”
Mary Beth Meehan, director of sales and marketing, streamlined the move by recommending a specialized moving company that was familiar with the village layout and offered full packing and unpacking services.
The transition also provided a welcome opportunity to declutter.
“Downsizing was truly beneficial; it encouraged my parents to keep the essentials and let go of things they hadn’t touched in years,” said their daughter, Patrice. (The couple also has a third child, Stephanie, who resides in upstate New York.) “It helped them prioritize what really mattered. Now, everything is within easy reach, and they no longer spend time searching for things.”
The apartment strikes a perfect balance: cozy enough to feel like home, yet spacious enough for the couple to enjoy their own pursuits. Patrice noted that the layout allows each of them to find their own area to relax. Joe Sr. often retreats to the large bedroom to watch sports or work at his desk, while Peggy stays comfortable in the living room, catching her favorite programs and listening to music on her Alexa.
The couple spend most of their time enjoying the social aspects of life at Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill, whether dining with friends at the bistro and the dining room or participating in various campus activities.
“They spend most of the day out of the apartment anyway,” Patrice said.
But when they want to stay put, they can enjoy a meal together at their compact dining table that fits nicely with the living room.
The couple couldn’t be more content with their home and their neighbors. Looking back, they wouldn’t change a single thing about their decision.
“We are very lucky,” Peg said. “We found it so easy to make this our own happy home.”
