01/28/2026
Meet Frank and Mary Gutekunst, Residents of The Vistas at Fox Hill®
In August 2024, The Highlands at Wyomissing® opened the doors to The Vistas at Fox Hill®, an innovative, new retirement community that addresses the preferences of a new generation of seniors, bringing a more modern residential option to our campus while offering the same active lifestyle amenities.
Frank and Mary Gutekunst were the second couple to move into one of the 41 apartments in this hybrid community, yet walking into their beautifully decorated home, you’d never guess they’ve lived there only a little over a year. Every photo and keepsake in the family room is thoughtfully placed, and exquisite, hand-tailored window treatments frame the windows in the master bedroom. At the same time, there are signs that children will be visiting soon: magnets hold artwork on the refrigerator, and Colorforms for every holiday cover the glass of the French doors. A charming dollhouse sits on a table in the center of the den, perfectly positioned for young children to play.
Frank, a middle school teacher who retired from Governor Mifflin School District in 2006, still volunteers each year at the district’s popular Book Bonanza. Mary, a retired critical care nurse and former nursing instructor, last worked as a healthcare administrator at Kutztown University before retiring in 2011. These days, much of their time and attention is happily focused on their twin five-year-old granddaughters, Frankie and Frida, who started Kindergarten in the fall and live just up the street with their daughter, Jill.
The Gutekunsts decided several years ago that their mid-seventies would be the perfect time to downsize. As they reached their early seventies, their Cape Cod home on Museum Road, with its large corner lot, towering trees, and endless maintenance tasks, was starting to feel like it was too much for just the two of them.
“We weren’t mowing our grass anymore, landscaping or cleaning. We had huge trees. We weren’t doing our own snow removal. And we had so many steps,” said Frank.
Then their daughter Jill, who was living in Brooklyn with Frankie and Frida, began working remotely and decided to buy a house in Wyomissing. Knowing Jill and the girls would be closer to them, settled it: The Gutekunsts would make their move. It wasn’t long after that the literal sign appeared.
“I was driving down Cambridge Avenue one day and saw the sign for The Vistas,” Mary recalled. “I thought, ‘That might be interesting.’
After touring the community and meeting with Life Plan Advisor Carly Bingaman, they felt an immediate connection. “We loved it right away,” Frank said. “But of course, we had to talk to our money guy first,” he added with a laugh.
They put down a refundable deposit, crunched the numbers, and were thrilled when their advisor gave them the green light. “We knew it was the right time,” Mary said.
When they moved in, Frank and Mary immediately felt welcomed. Their refrigerator was stocked with food, neighbors stopped by to say hello, and they began to feel like part of something special, not to mention, their daughter and granddaughters being right around the corner.
“We help Jill a lot with babysitting,” Mary shared with a smile. “She’s raising two girls on her own, and being close by makes it easier for her, and so special for us.”
In addition to happily caring for her granddaughters and using her nursing expertise to answer health questions of neighbors, Mary also enjoys reading in her spare time. And now that the girls are in school, with more time for herself, she is excited about joining a Vistas book club and participating in the many activities offered at The Highlands.
Frank quickly settled into a routine, biking daily to Sheetz for the newspaper and to the nearby Berks County Tennis Club where he had already been a tennis player and member.
“It feels like being on vacation,” Frank said. “We used to stay in a two-bedroom condo in Siesta Key, Florida, and we always thought we could live in a place like that. This is even bigger—and better.”
Frank has become a familiar face around The Highlands. He is involved in many organizations, including a new educational initiative called Chalk Talkers, an idea that was formed when a group of retired leaders in education, including Frank, recognized the significant number of educators living at The Highlands. Frank is also planning to participate in the shuffleboard tournament, and is the chair of Sports Talk, a group that meets weekly to talk about athletics, both local and national.
Together, Frank and Mary often reach out to residents who live alone to invite them to meals or events and to simply offer a listening ear. “It’s got to be tough to come here alone,” Mary said. “We try to make sure people feel included.”
Frank and Mary both agree that the location of The Highlands is perfect for them. Living just a few miles from their long-time home in Shillington, they are close to friends and family.
“Also, the amenities are incredible,” Mary said, “And it’s just beautiful here.”
“The people are what make it so special,” Frank said. “We’ve made so many connections, and we’re having fun. I’m knee-deep in activities, and I love it.”
Warm, kind, and always ready to lend a hand, the Gutekunsts have acclimated quite well to their new building and community. They’re grateful for the friendships, the convenience, and the sense of security their new home provides. And whether they are spending time with their daughter and granddaughters or fostering community connections, Frank and Mary Gutekunst embody the spirit of The Vistas at Fox Hill: active, caring, and deeply rooted in family and friendship.
