Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio (MHCO) has honored two individuals with the naming of its two new Green House Homes. The two homes were dedication on Oct. 14.

One home is called “Betty House,” named for the late Betty Bash. The second is “Frieda House,” named for the late Frieda Basinger.

Each home will provide licensed nursing care for 10 residents. It is part of MHCO’s vision to “transform” the nursing care environment by providing licensed nursing care in a home rather than an institution.

Green House founder, Dr. Bill Thomas, who attended the October dedication, said that he believes that each home has a story, which grows with the elders who live in them.  Following the celebration on Oct. 14, each home now has the beginnings of a story.

Laura Voth, Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio CEO, shared the story of Betty and Dallas Bash and their family: 

"After a stroke left Betty in need of nursing care, Dallas brought her to live at Mennonite Memorial Home in 1986. For the next 25 years, Dallas came to visit Betty twice a day, every day. He didn’t miss unless he went out of state to visit one of their sons, which wasn’t very often because he knew that Betty would miss him.  Then, in 2005, Dallas came to live with us as well. He passed away in 2007. 

"Exactly one year ago today in 2011, Betty passed away. In her 25 years of living with us, her family – her husband, her children and grandchildren, were regulars.  Every ice cream social – they were there.  Every Christmas potluck – they were there. Every day, someone visited. Betty’s family displayed an enduring, deeply committed warmth and love for Betty. Betty and her family were proof of the value and importance of family relationships ¬– a foundational philosophy of the Green House Model of Care." 

Doug Luginbill, MHCO Director of Resource Development and Church Relations, shared the story of Frieda and James Basinger: 

"James and Frieda grew up in Bluffton and attended Bluffton University. Their careers took them to various locations throughout the country and they retired in Bisbee, Ariz.  While they never lived in Bluffton after college, the Basingers did not forget their family and friends in Bluffton. For three years Frieda made a $1,000 gift at Christmas-time with the instruction, “Make the resident’s lives brighter.”  Frieda passed away in 2009. It was only then that it was discovered Bluffton University and Mennonite Home Communities were named as the sole recipients of their estate, each receiving over $500,000."

“This legacy gift was exactly the boost our New Vision campaign needed in order to proceed with the construction of the Green House homes,” said Luginbill.  “Thanks to the thoughtfulness and generosity of the Basingers we are confident the lives of the elders who live in the homes will continue to be ‘bright’ for many years to come.”