Diane Jacobs has seen many changes since she started work at Pleasant View in 1983. Things that have remained consistent for forty-two years are the quality of care, the expectation for Christ-like service, and the Pleasant View community that extends a spirit of kindness, concern, and care for neighbors. Residents visiting, sending cards, sharing soup, and offering a helping hand to neighbors was common, even before Pleasant View formally adopted the aim of “living with a perspective of purpose.”
As Pleasant View celebrates our 70th anniversary in 2025, we will feature residents and staff who have been part of PV’s story for many years.
Diane is our Director of Residential Living. Resident Mary Sarkis shares, “Diane made the transition to living in a retirement community so positive. She is always available to answer questions and to listen to a resident’s concern. She treats everyone here like family.”
Diane's early years at PV
Growing up, Diane enjoyed quality time and great relationships with her grandparents, so when she headed off to Taylor University to study social work, she knew her end goal was to work with seniors. After graduating, Diane was attracted to Pleasant View through an ad for an “Activity Aide – Piano Player preferred.” The HR person was out of the office the morning she inquired, but Diane was put through to the organization’s president, J. Horrace Martin. He told her they had someone else in mind, but if she played the piano (she did) and could interview that afternoon, they would consider her for the position. A few hours later, the job was hers, and the rest as they say is history! She initially played the piano for the resident chorus, and to this day, Diane is still involved in planning the staff Christmas program and the annual Nursing Home Week staff talent show.
When Diane started, Pleasant View offered eleven apartments in the converted original nursing home and 130 skilled nursing beds, but no personal care and very little independent living. The Director of Nursing handled admissions and another staff member covered social service needs. A year after starting her employment, a Social Worker role was created for Diane. For nine years, Diane handled all admissions and oversaw the care planning and social work needs of the community. She explains that there were just 3-4 admissions per month because most residents stayed long-term (versus short-term rehab stays now).
While campus living options, amenities, and services have greatly expanded in the past forty-two years, Diane notes that one of the most positive quality of life changes during her tenure was when the J. Calvin Wenger Health & Wellness Center was built and skilled nursing changed from semi-private rooms (with a curtain between beds) to private rooms (or rooms with a wall to give residents more privacy).
When Diane was asked what kept her at Pleasant View so long, her answer included the organization’s Christian mission, feeling valued, the enjoyment from serving alongside like-minded co-workers, and the privilege of walking alongside residents in both good and bad times. She also mentioned Pleasant View’s flexibility in allowing for part-time scheduling when her children were young and of school age.
Living with a Perspective of Purpose
When Diane began her work at Pleasant View, the name of the organization was “Pleasant View Rest Home.” Residents were allowed to have TVs in their rooms, but there were no TVs permitted in common areas. Female staff had to wear dresses and there was no air conditioning. Community volunteers and board members were involved in the day-to-day operations.
In addition to attending monthly meetings, board members canned fruits and vegetables, butchered and supplied meat, personally manned the grills on Auxiliary Chicken BBQ Day, preached at Sunday morning worship services, and hosted the annual staff Christmas party. One of our founders, Edna Hoffer, was a resident in the nursing home at the time, but still mowed her property, supervised the Hoffer Farm “hired man,” and made sure in-season fruits and vegetables were served to residents.
Diane doesn’t recall if there was a formal mission statement, but the Bible verse found in Galatians 6:2, “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ,” was framed and on the walls of Pleasant View. Many staff members viewed their positions at Pleasant View as a ministry. Diane is grateful to be part of a team that has always offered quality care by valuing kindness and dignity.
Diane is thankful, too, for all that she has learned from the residents and their families over the years. She’s learned from personal experience as well since she’s journeyed through long-term care placements with her brother and both of her parents. Diane’s mother is currently a resident in Pleasant View’s skilled nursing care. Diane understands how hard it is for families to transfer care from self to staff, and how sad it can be to see a loved one decline and feel frustrated when little can be done to fix or change a family member’s physical condition. Diane has learned that life is best navigated with love and grace, and that faith, family and friendships are often what sustain us through difficult times of loss.
Learning from New Roles
In addition to serving in various activities, social service, and admission roles, Diane served as the part-time development director for six years and kicked off Pleasant View’s first ever Town Square capital campaign. When she started in that role, her “database” was a box of 3 x 5 cards with names of year-end donors. Six years later, Pleasant View was receiving sufficient funds and planned gifts to support making the development position full-time.
Diane welcomed the opportunity to go back to working with independent living residents as the Director of Residential Living. Campus Health Coordinator, Cindy Fodor, was part of her team.
In 2011, Diane added the title of Director of PV at Home to her Residential Living duties. She, along with Cindy, a scheduler, and many devoted caregivers provided home care services to Pleasant View residents and the surrounding community until 2020.
Pleasant View will soon relaunch PV at Home for residents. Led by Personal Care Administrator Leanne Kiralfy, it will utilize the staff hours available because of a smaller personal care census. Help with medication and other activities of daily living will be available so that residents can age in place in their home.
As the Director of Residential Living, Diane serves as the liaison between administration and the residential living residents. She works with the Independent Living Resident Council, plans quarterly Town Meetings, oversees cottage and apartment resident communication, helps residents weigh the choice of “aging in place” versus moving through the continuum, and is sometimes known as the residential living “rule enforcer.” Board member Marlin Gibble shares, “Our family has lived at Pleasant View for three generations. Diane has supported us for the past forty years. As I serve as Resident Council President, she gives valuable assistance and historical guidance. Great Job, Diane.”
There was much more we wanted to ask Diane about her forty-two years of service at Pleasant View. We know she has many stories to share. We are grateful for her faithful service and for the stability she provides for residents, families, and staff.
