CENTER TWP - When Jill Schad got married to Samuel Carl on Friday, she stated her vows in front of immediate family and 70 of her closest friends.

But instead of asking her friends to leave their home in inclement weather, the ceremony was performed at the New Haven Court at Clearview, the assisted living facility where most of the wedding attendees live.

Although Jill and her husband have few relatives, a crowd amassed in New Haven's elegant dining room. One woman played "Red Roses for a Blue Lady" and "Sentimental Journey" on the piano as guests arrived.

Walkers and wheelchairs were accommodated between rows of chairs. Some men wore suits. Some of the women wore pearls and perfume.

A swag of white tulle and valentine ribbon was draped over a framed print near the door. Below it was a bowl of red punch and a sheet cake.

The room grew quiet as Henry Hall, chaplain at the Butler Veterans Affairs Medical Center, performed the ceremony.

"A little reminder," Hall said before reading from the 23rd Psalm. "All of us are part of God's family. We are not alone in this journey."

With more than 80 residents now at New Haven, Schad is anything but alone. The magnitude of their attendance became obvious when, as part of the ceremony, they recited The Lord's Prayer along with the chaplain.

"I feel like they're all my grandparents," said Schad, who has worked for several years as a housekeeper in many of the residents' apartments.

"You can be serious with some. You can laugh and joke with some. And there's always a hug - whether you're giving or receiving."

Although a few of the wedding guests said they don't know the bride very well, many described her with fondness.

"I've known her since I got here a year and a half ago," said Philomen Beck. "I craved a bologna sandwich, which they don't serve here - and wouldn't you know: she brought me one."

"I like her very much," said Arliene Frazier. "She is willing to do anything that needs to be done and goes beyond the necessary things - beyond the call of duty. I think she considers this her family. It appears that we are her family," Frazier said.

"I think it's just wonderful that she invited us," said Mary Jane Fetterman, who lives at New Haven with Ed Fetterman, her husband of 60 years. "She calls us her family. She's a wonderful girl."

Serving as maid of honor was the bride's granddaughter, Kirisa Taimuty of Butler. Serving as bridesmaid and flower girl were granddaughters Jenna Zach and Abbigail Schrecengost, both of Butler.

The bride's son, Jason Zach of Butler, presented her for marriage.

Serving as best man was James Nyberg of Slippery Rock. The bride's grandson, Tyler Zach of Butler, was ring bearer.

The bride returned to work on Monday.

"The trust is there," she said of the residents. "After you get to know some of them, they'll leave you a special snack - a donut on the counter.

"They do little things like that. Sometimes we sneak them a cookie. Or we'll go that extra mile to do something extra for them."