When Maryanne Haywood first stepped through the doors of the Friendly Home in Rochester, NY, she had no idea that what began as a part-time fill-in nursing job would lead to an 18-year career — and, many years later, a meaningful return to the same community for her own care.
Her Friendly Home story began when she attended a lecture at the University of Rochester encouraging retired nurses to rejoin the workforce. “They were looking for nurses who had stepped away to raise families,” Maryanne recalls. “I decided I’d give it a try.”
At the time, Maryanne was hosting her elderly mother-in-law and aunt, visiting from White Plains, NY. “They were used to afternoon tea and entertaining,” she says with a laugh. “So I settled them with tea and crumpets for their nap before heading to the university.”
A few days later, opportunity came calling — literally. “I got a call saying one of their nurses had to leave suddenly, and they needed someone to start the next day,” she says. “That’s how it all started. Just like that.”
A Career that Came Full Circle
Maryanne began part-time at the Friendly Home, later transitioning to a full-time nursing role shared with her colleague and friend, Marilyn Young. “We made it work,” she says. “Eventually, Marilyn moved on, and I took the full-time position.”
Her leadership grew along with her responsibilities. She first managed the Health-Related department, then took over Skilled Nursing when the previous director left. “It was a big transition,” Maryanne says. “I worked with a wonderful team, developed schedules, wrote job descriptions, and built the structure we needed to care for our Residents.”
Her proudest accomplishment came in 1988 when she was part of the team that helped establish one of the first Alzheimer’s special care units in the region — a milestone achievement in compassionate memory care.
Friendships and Teamwork that Lasted a Lifetime
“The camaraderie was the best part,” Maryanne says. “There were seven of us nurses who became great friends. We met every month, sometimes at each other’s homes, just to stay connected.”
That sense of teamwork and belonging made the Friendly Home more than just a workplace — it was a family of caregivers united by compassion, professionalism, and love for their residents.
Coming Home Again
Now, years later, Maryanne has come full circle. She is once again part of the Friendly Home community — this time as a Member receiving care.
“It’s still the Friendly Home,” she says. “Of course, it has evolved, but the care is still excellent. I don’t think everyone realizes I once worked here — that surprises people sometimes.”
Until her mid-90s, Maryanne lived independently, gardening, baking cookies for neighborhood children, and volunteering at her church. “Then one day, I slipped leaf blowing and fell,” she shares. “That ended my independence — and brought me back here.”
Before leaving the Friendly Home to live with her daughter, Maryanne reflected proudly on her journey. “I think the care people receive here is very good,” she says. “I’m proud to have had a part in helping to develop it. But I didn’t do it alone. I had a lot of people willing to go along with me.”
A Legacy of Care and Community
From dedicated nurse to cherished resident, Maryanne Haywood’s journey with the Friendly Home is a powerful reminder that the heart of great care lies in relationships, respect, and community. Her story continues to inspire the caregivers and Members who make the Friendly Home a place where compassion truly comes full circle.
Inspired by Maryanne’s story? Learn more about the compassionate care and vibrant community at the Friendly Home in Rochester, NY — where excellence and empathy have been part of our story for generations. Explore Our Community
Back to Blog Posts