Capture d’écran, le 2025-07-17 à 11.49.26

Susan

From Family Roots to New Purposes

Susan’s family roots run deep here in Las Vegas. Her grandfather, Edward Von Tobel Sr., arrived in the early 1900s and opened a lumber yard that eventually grew into Von Tobel’s — the only hardware store in Las Vegas for many years, and a staple across the valley with three locations. For longtime residents, the Von Tobel name is synonymous with the pioneering spirit that helped shape the city’s early growth.

Today, Susan continues her family’s legacy of commitment to community — not through lumber and tools, but through leadership, empathy and connection. Now a proud resident of Las Ventanas at Summerlin, Susan is finding renewed purpose in a place that feels like home.

“I took a full year to make the decision to move,” she says. “But on the very first day, I felt such relief — I felt safe physically and emotionally.”

That confidence came not only from Las Ventanas’ welcoming environment, but also from its familiarity. Her parents and aunt once called the community home, and Susan knew the quality it offered. Now, her move has become a family reunion of sorts. Her sister, Kay, and her husband already live at Las Ventanas, and now her other sister, Sharon, has just moved in as well. Her cousin is also making plans to move in.

“We truly are invested in HumanGood and Las Ventanas,” Susan adds warmly. Since settling into her beautifully remodeled two-bedroom-plus-den apartment, Susan has fully embraced life at Las Ventanas. Recently elected to the Residents Council, she also serves on the Health Services Committee, where she advocates for emotional and mental wellness across the community.

Her professional background in marriage and family therapy, along with a lifelong dedication to education and spiritual leadership, uniquely positions her to be a source of strength and support for others as she leads grief support groups. Susan’s role as a community builder extends beyond Las Ventanas as well — she’s also an author. Her children’s books, Mei-Ling’s Forever Mommy and Mei Mei’s New Home, were inspired by her own journey of adopting her daughter, Mia, from China when she was in her early fifties. Written to help adoptive families navigate their own stories, the book reflects the same care and insight that Susan brings to all she does.

From her family’s early days helping to build Las Vegas, to her own life of service and compassion, Susan Von Tobel has come full circle — creating a new home and leading with her heart in a community she knows and loves.

Kevin and Kim

Letting Go to Grow

For Kevin and Kim, retirement was never about slowing down — it was a chance to reimagine what life could look like, especially without the woes of home maintenance. After decades of service in the military and healthcare fields, they found themselves in a large house that no longer matched their lifestyle. But instead of holding on, they let go and opened the door to something much greater when they moved into Las Ventanas.

“Letting go of our big house gave us the freedom to say ‘yes’ to more,” Kim says. “We’ve simplified our space to a sunny one-bedroom with a den but truly expanded our lives.”

Recently, the couple’s “yes” includes upcoming international trips to Sydney and Tokyo. Even sooner, they plan to cruise the Great Lakes and the Columbia and Snake Rivers and living at Las Ventanas has allowed them to grab their luggage and leave for the next adventure without worry.

The transition wasn’t just a change of address — it was a transformation in how they lived and connected with others. They’ve found more than just a new home – they’ve found new purposes, people and a powerful new rhythm to life.

Kevin, a retired Marine Corps Colonel, served as a pilot for the Presidential Squadron, personally flying President Bill Clinton during his administration. His attention to detail and leadership skills, honed in the military, are helping to shape the future of Las Ventanas. Kevin happily serves on multiple committees, including the Resident Council, External Environmental Committee, Foundation Committee, Budget and Finance Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee.

Kim, a pediatric oncology nurse turned educator, now shares her energy across multiple committees, including Chair of the Welcome Committee, Co-Chair of the Visionaries Committee and member of the Health Services Committee and the Interior Design Committee. She also performs in the community’s theater productions, showing her vibrant spirit and her love to try new things. Kim also enjoys playing friendly competitive ping pong games with her fellow residents every day.

Their daily life together is active and full: mornings at the gym, daily walks in the neighborhood and, of course, frequent vacations to explore the world around them.

“The switch flipped the minute we walked into Las Ventanas,” says Kim. “The warmth, the welcoming spirit — it just felt right to us.” Kevin agrees. “We’re more connected now — to each other and to the people around us. We didn’t just downsize; we rightsized for who we are now.” 

Mary

Healing with Heart

Entrepreneur, educator, author and scholar, Mary, a Ph.D., brings a lifetime of experience and expertise to her day-to-day life at Las Ventanas, not through accolades but through action.

Since moving to Las Ventanas in 2019 with her late husband, Joseph, Mary has become a trusted and compassionate leader among her neighbors. Whether she’s helping a new resident feel at home or advocating alongside team members to expand wellness services like proper foot care and hearing assistance programs, Mary approaches each effort with thoughtfulness and heart.

“I’ve always believed in the power of listening and showing up,” she says. “That’s where real community begins, and Las Ventanas provides a strong foundation to help people, including me, stay connected and fulfilled.”

Mary’s presence is also felt in her dedication to her own health and well-being. She participates regularly in Pilates, cardio and balance classes, choosing these types of activities as a form of self-care and resilience — especially as she manages her own chronic pain. And along the way, she has become close with her fitness instructors, neighbors and Las Ventanas team members.

Her commitment to health and service doesn’t end on the Las Ventanas campus. Mary actively supports local and national organizations including Catholic Charities, Three Square Food Bank and the Salvation Army. She also maintains strong ties with UNLV, keeping her academic spirit alive through ongoing engagement and support.

In quieter moments, Mary creates. A longtime jewelry maker, she hand-strings intricate necklaces from beads and stones she’s collected over the years, especially turquoise and gold, her favorite pairing. Though she doesn’t sell her pieces, her collection is stunning and ever-growing. “It’s a kind of meditation and a way to be creative.”

For Mary, life at Las Ventanas has brought both healing and purpose. After the loss of her husband, she found solace in the strength of the community. “I’m surrounded by people who care about me. And I get to continue making a difference in my community. It all feels right to me.” 

Brent and Karen

Giving Back. Moving Forward

For Brent and Karen, this chapter of life is not about winding down, but continuing to live a life driven by purpose, connection and service. Since moving to Las Ventanas in May 2022, they’ve found more than just a place to live; they’ve discovered a welcoming, vibrant community that gives them the freedom to continue living a meaningful life while serving others.

While their professional and personal backgrounds in psychology, education and faith are a big part of their story, Brent and Karen now focus their energy on sharing their talents to continue making a difference in the greater Las Vegas area — something for which they have shared a mutual passion.

They are active members of Desert Springs United Methodist Church, where they usher, serve communion and support the food pantry through the church’s Caring Neighbors outreach. Brent also volunteers weekly with Catholic Worker, distributing food to hundreds of unhoused individuals — often alongside one of their sons.

One of the greatest blessings of this new season is being close to family. Three of their four sons live in the Las Vegas area, each raising families of their own. Living nearby allows Brent and Karen to enjoy time with their grandchildren and support them while maintaining the independence and engaging lifestyle they appreciate and value.

“At Las Ventanas, we’ve embraced a new rhythm of life — one that continues to widen our world through family, new friendships and a deep commitment to serving others across the greater Las Vegas community,” says Karen.

Living at a Life Plan Community brings the Slifes a sense of security and peace of mind — but also joy and renewed energy. Karen, once a competitive swimmer, enjoys regular swims at the Las Ventanas pool, and both she and Brent take daily walks, making the most of the beautiful surroundings of Las Ventanas and downtown Summerlin. From weekly dinners with fellow residents to spontaneous conversations with neighbors, their days are full of meaningful connections.