Published: February 12, 2025
Kendal at Oberlin is home to more than 300 people in their 60s and well beyond. They come from near (Oberlin and Cleveland) and far (Hawaii, Canada and elsewhere). The residents share many common values, such as sustainability and lifelong learning, and many have ties to Oberlin College. But each resident has his or her own unique story.
Meet Joyce Benjamin
Joyce Benjamin, who moved to Kendal with her wife Barb, divides retirement years into three categories: go-go, slow-go and no-go.
“We’re moving into the slow-go years,” says the 77-year-old retired professor.
Well kind of. Joyce just started her two-year term as president of the Kendal at Oberlin Residents Association (KORA), which among other responsibilities includes representing resident concerns during a major renovation just getting underway.
Under Phase 2 of the Master Plan, Kendal’s central kitchen, dining venues and lounge will be off-limits on and off for a year while walls are moved, windows added, lighting and equipment replaced and the like. Residents are excited about the upgrades, but the renovation means meals, meetings and other gatherings will be impacted.
That’s one of the reasons Joyce decided to hold weekly coffee meet-ups. “I want to be available to listen to concerns and answer questions,” she says.
Joyce is not a newbie to such large-scale community endeavors. During the pandemic she served on the New Normal Planning Committee, comprised of residents and staff navigating uncharted land. The committee met on Zoom, at first twice a week, tackling a myriad of issues related to safe practices during a pandemic for a life plan community.
“How difficult it was but how glad I was that we were living at Kendal,” she says, echoing a common sentiment expressed by residents.
During the pandemic Joyce also volunteered to help with video editing, a job that became critical when in-person activities at Kendal came to a halt. When Joyce became KORA president she decided it was time to reduce editing responsibilities.
Kendal’s LGBTQ+ & Allies
One of Kendal’s guiding values is welcoming all people regardless of, among other things, sexual orientation. Residents formed the LGBTA+ group in 2018, the same year Joyce and Barb moved to Kendal from Toledo.
“I represent the T of Kendal’s LGBTA+ group,” Joyce said during a panel discussion held soon after the couple moved in.
She shared with the audience her seven-decade journey to become a transgender woman, which was finalized in 2016.
“Barb found Kendal at Oberlin, but I wasn’t sure that LGB extended to the T part of the alphabet. But coming through the door to Kendal at Oberlin we found a place and people who have been tremendously warm and welcoming. It is a great relief to be able to live my life as my ‘authentic self,’” Joyce said during the discussion.
Given the challenges of the current political climate Joyce says that while they feel safe and supported at Kendal, they worry what the future holds. “There is so much hate out there,” Joyce says.
When the couple moved to Kendal they had three dogs in tow and got involved with the Pet Matters committee. Now dogless, Joyce and Barb on occasion dog sit for residents, including CEO Seth Vilensky.
They still have their two cats “that require fewer walks but just as much attention as we move toward our slow-go years,” Joyce says.
