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Eliza Jennings

Eliza Wallace Jennings
Eliza Wallace Jennings (December 21, 1809 – September 25, 1887) was a philanthropist and visionary.

Her Beginning
She was the daughter of James and Margaret Chambers Wallace, and wife of a successful banker, Simeon Jennings. Eliza was raised in Petersburg, Ohio, during the 1820’s. Eliza and husband Simeon began their married life in Salem, Ohio and moved to Cleveland during the 1860’s.

Philanthropic Work
The Jennings’ enjoyed a privileged life and shared a great passion for philanthropy. In 1865, following her husband’s death, Eliza Jennings deeded her home and property (valued at $1.5 million) to society.

An elderly friend who had fallen terminally ill inspired Eliza to donate property and funds to the Young Women’s Christian Association YWCA) to open a home for the incurable. The establishment was named Eliza Jennings Home (formerly The Cleveland Home for Incurable Women) in her honor.  In 1922 the home incorporated as a private, not-for-profit organization, and a new facility was built on the original site.  Since that time, the home has expanded in size twice; first with the 1955 addition of the Tomlinson Pavilion, and second with the 1966 addition of the Laub Nursing Pavilion. The home also expanded its vision in 1975 and began admitting male patients as well.  The Eliza Jennings Home is still located at its original location; 10603 Detroit Ave., in Lakewood, Ohio.  It remains one of the oldest facilities for geriatric care in Cleveland.

More than a century after the opening of Eliza Jennings Home, Eliza Jennings’ vision has flourished into an entire network of communities and services for older adults. The network, now titled Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network, encompasses skilled nursing, hospice care, rehabilitation, therapy, assisted living, adult day care, home health, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, and independent living services.

Eliza Jennings was the first CARF-accredited Aging Services Network in North America and is recognized as one of the few remaining not-for-profit senior care providers.