Sisters of Saint Anne to move to New Horizons at Marlborough

The Sisters of Saint Anne, part of the Marlborough community for more than a century, recently selected New Horizons at Marlborough to become the new home for 26 of their congregants.

Since 1965, the Provincial Headquarters of this Roman Catholic congregation has been located at 720 Boston Post Road, just around the corner from the retirement community. The Sisters currently live separate from one another, spread across New England.

“The move to New Horizons will allow us to continue in our ministries, experience a closer community life together, and ‘age in place’ in a safe environment,” said Sister Yvette Dargy.

New Horizons is already home to more than 400 residents, including 13 Sisters of the Good Shepherd, an unrelated Roman Catholic order that previously operated Madonna Hall School for Girls on the same site. Cummings Foundation purchased the property from the Sisters, built New Horizons, and invited them to continue living on campus.

“We look forward to living in close proximity to the Sisters of the Good Shepherd,” said Dargy. “They welcomed us to their home in 1993, when our retired sisters needed a place to live while our rest home was being constructed. Their hospitality was a true gift to us!”

The Sisters of St. Anne will occupy 26 new apartment-style homes, complete with fully appointed kitchens with appliances larger than typical efficiency apartments, on the first and second floors of 406 Hemenway Street. This space became available when the Sisters of the Good Shepherd moved to a new on-campus convent that New Horizons built for them in 2011.

The reconfigured and remodeled space will also include a communal gathering room, according to Bob O’Connor, who has served as New Horizons’ executive director since before it opened in 1994.

“Our current availability does not allow for that many homes adjacent to each other, but we were delighted to work with the Sisters and find a creative way to adapt our campus so they can live their community life within our community,” said O’Connor. “In the process, we learned that the sisters love to cook; we hope they will enjoy their custom kitchens.”

Although it is nonsectarian, New Horizons offers daily Catholic Mass in its own Cardinal Cushing Chapel, as well as weekly Jewish and Protestant services.

The Sisters of Saint Anne were founded in 1850 in Quebec, came to the U.S. in 1872 and to Marlborough in 1887 to serve in parish schools. They founded St. Anne Academy, which has since closed, and Anna Maria College, which is now in Paxton.

New Horizons sales associate Ginger Ryan, a Marlborough native who has worked at the senior living community for 22 years, is a St. Anne Academy alumna.

“The Sisters of Saint Anne have been part of the fabric of Marlborough for as long as I can remember,” said Ryan. “I am so pleased to have them join our community.”

Their main mission is education in its broadest sense. The Sisters serve in a variety of ministries and places, including at their own 36-bed, fully occupied Marie Esther Health Center in Marlborough.

“We are grateful to Cummings Foundation for working with us to make this move a reality,” said Dargy. “We look forward to meeting the residents, forming new friendships, and being of service wherever needed.”

About New Horizons

New Horizons at Marlborough is a private not-for-profit retirement community on a 40-acre country campus. An affiliate of Cummings Foundation, Inc., it provides homes for seniors in independent and assisted-living settings and employs a staff of more than 125 Metrowest residents. New Horizons offers a full complement of amenities, including a heated pool, myriad health and fitness activities, indoor and outdoor walking paths, and more. Visit www.CountryCommunities.com for more information and to read unsolicited signed testimonials from residents and their family members.

PHOTO: Rendering of the new home of the Sisters of Saint Anne at New Horizons at Marlborough