History

Samuel F. Kennedy built the house back in 1914. Young Sam had come to Charlottetown from a boyhood out Breadalbane way, and was making a name for himself as a young entrepreneur in the capital city. Indeed, he did so well, building dozens of houses, that he became a citizen of some prominence, serving a term as Mayor of Charlottetown from 1934 to 1936.

The new family was headed by Judge Aubin Arsenault, father of Iphigene Arsenault. The Judge family occupied the majestic and stately dwelling until 1945 and then it began a new life.

The Arsenaults sold the house to the Salvation Army who wanted it for the purpose of providing long term care for the elderly in a Christian environment.

The Salvation Army gave the house a new name – The Salvation Army Sunset Lodge.

The re-modeled house was originally intended as a retreat for retired and widowed women, but that changed when it became apparent to the Salvation Army, that there was need for a supportive care facility. But again, a few years later, the care provided in Sunset lodge would change to meet changing needs. By July 1990, Sunset Lodge was a licensed Nursing Home to 68 men and women, some marries and some single.

Just over a year ago, Sunset Lodge became the property of the McQuaid Family. After a total makeover, it was transformed into an Assisted Living/ Community Care Facility offering bed sitting rooms and one bedroom suite. And the facility got a new name – Geneva Villa, named after the mother of the new owners, a lady who personifies the personality of the made-over facility – elegant, warm and friendly – Geneva (Morrison) McQuaid.

Geneva Morrison was the middle child of 5 siblings, born to her parents, Alexander and Catherine. She met and married Linus McQuaid, a qualified schoolteacher, military man, farmer and entrepreneur. Geneva and her husband raised eleven children on a seventy-five acre mixed farm in Riverdale.

They were parents with strong family values – the children learned the discipline of hard work and homework from their earliest age.

This family was no exception. It was an upbringing where money might be short, but the sense of family was strong. Nine of the eleven siblings graduated from university. The two remaining siblings enjoy successful careers as well.

It is in recognition of the role their mother played in their upbringing, the sacrifices she made so they could do better, and the values she instilled in them, that the owners decided to say thank you by naming their new-look villa after her. Geneva McQuaid, widowed eleven years ago, is a very independent person. She still owns that home place farm in Riverdale, but now lives in Charlottetown in her own apartment. She also drives her own car. That independent quality of hers, motivated her children to create an elders’ residence that could cater to an independent lifestyle, yet provide the comfort and peace of mind of knowing that assistance is at hand whenever it is needed.

Geneva Villa has been designed to meet evolving needs, a place where healthy and energetic lifestyles are possible in elegant surroundings; where those surroundings provide gracious living in a safe, secure environment.. For ninety years, this old Kennedy house has captivated and charmed everyone who has lived in its spacious confines.

In its new life as Geneva Villa, that tradition seems destined to continue far into the future.