Jane Hyatt poses with a friend during a monthly coffee meetup on Thursday,...READ ON
Jane Hyatt poses with a friend during a monthly coffee meetup on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at her Lenoir Woods apartment in Columbia, Mo. Hyatt has called Lenoir Woods home for five years, after moving from Sarasota, Florida with her husband. Her husband passed away a year after the move but Hyatt has still found a home in the friends she made at Lenoir. “People invite people to things and get to know each other,” said Hyatt, “and that’s the way it begins to be home.” Hyatt has called many places around the United States home, including North Carolina, Georgia, and Alaska (before it was a state). “People would not want to live in the places I live in and I loved every place I lived in,” said Hyatt.
Shirley Beckett poses for a photo with her piano on Thursday, October 13,...READ ON
Shirley Beckett poses for a photo with her piano on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at Lenoir Woods in Columbia, Mo. Beckett lives in an apartment at Lenoir Woods by herself after the passing of her husband, Jim, in February of 2021. Five years ago, Beckett and her husband decided to move to Lenoir Woods to receive care for Jim’s Alzheimers. After Jim’s passing, Beckett said, “I really needed something to do,” and turned to the piano that had been with her for over four decades. Originally, Beckett brought her grand piano to Lenoir Woods with the intention of having it in her apartment. When she realized it wouldn’t fit, she donated it to Lenoir Woods to keep it close by. Beckett started playing every evening for customers at Lavinia, an upscale restaurant in Lenoir Woods. “It really saved my heart, after Jim was gone,” says Beckett.
Michael Waddell poses for a photo on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at Lenoir...READ ON
Michael Waddell poses for a photo on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at Lenoir Woods in Columbia, Mo. Waddell worked on a puzzle as he winded down his Sunday evening with a beer in hand. Waddell followed his partner of 40 years, Nancy, to Lenoir Woods in January 2018. After Nancy passed away a few months ago, Waddell has been trying to get back on his feet by sorting through mountains of papers– some that are notes dating back to his university days in the 1950s. “I’d like to almost get my belongings down to fit them in a backpack so I can go anywhere,” said Waddell. Waddell moved to the United States after graduating from a university in England. He spent years traversing the country with friends and found home wherever he was. “It’s where I go to bed,” said Waddell when reflecting on his definition of home, “and where I get food.” When asked if Lenoir Woods was home to him, he responded, “It's as home as anywhere.”
