Marie Gorton’s Full-Circle Journey Back to Pine Edge

Twenty-five years ago, a young single mother named Marie Gorton found a place that felt like home. It was a small, welcoming community on the outskirts of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Pine Edge. Back then, she was raising her daughter on her own, leaning on the support, kindness, and sense of belonging that Pine Edge offered. 

“Those years meant so much to me,” Marie recalls. “The community was wonderful, supportive… it was exactly what I needed at that time in my life.” 

Life moved forward, as it tends to do. Marie eventually met her husband, Jeff, and together they moved just a couple of miles away to a large country home on ten acres of land complete with horses, a barn, and a spacious home with four bedrooms. It was perfect for the life they were building together. 

But time brings change. Two years ago, Marie lost Jeff. With her daughter now grown and living on her own raising her own family, Marie found herself alone in a big house surrounded by acres of upkeep. More than one person could take on, physically or emotionally. 

“It was just too much for me,” she said. “I was ready to downsize.” 

So, she began searching, touring homes, visiting communities, and evaluating her options across Eau Claire. But nothing felt quite right… until she decided to revisit a place that once felt like home. 

When Marie pulled into Pine Edge for the first time in decades, something clicked. Memories came flooding back, of neighbors, laughter, support, and a sense of belonging she hadn’t felt in many years. "Pine Edge is a beautiful community, and it stood out to me more than anything else I saw in town." 

When Marie met Pamela Stumm, the Community Manager at Pine Edge now owned and operated by Roots Management Group she was greeted with a smile and great news that new homes were arriving soon!"

“Marie is awesome,” Pamela said. “She’s positive, energetic, and so fun to work with. She was nostalgic when she arrived; she lived here about 25 years ago and had such fond memories. That’s what brought her back in the door.” 

Pamela who has been with Roots for five years managing two of our properties and in the industry over 12 years gave Marie a tour of the property, showing her the improvements and additions Pine Edge has made in recent years, including updates that reflect the ROOTS Management Group mission to provide safe, clean, and welcoming communities. 

“We recently added a new pavilion, and we’re currently building a dog park,” said Pamela. And as Marie walked through the neighborhood, she was already recognizing faces…and making new friends.

Even her four-legged companion, Billy, seemed to approve. 

A Fresh Start in a Brand-New Home 

Pamela showed Marie a brand-new home that had just arrived. It was the perfect size for one person and one small dog, easy to maintain, comfortable, and completely turn-key. 

“I was surprised by how well they had it all ready for me,” Marie said. “I thought I’d have to order steps or a screen door, but they had it all done. They even cleaned it; it is ready for me to move in!” Marie says she is happy to not have to tend to a huge yard but plans on adding a covered parking area and shed to store her gardening tools.  

The difference from the appearance of the community to the way the home sale process is from 25 years ago amazed her. 

“The industry has changed so much. I used to hire people for adding stairs, and making it move in ready. Now everything is already taken care of. It was so simple.” 

She moved in pretty quickly. Her new home includes a new washer and dryer, and plenty of space for entertaining her new neighbors and friends and a great place for Billy to play and meet other community dogs. 

Marie was so happy with how smooth her experience was from start to finish; she even brought Pamela a thank-you gift. 

We followed up with Marie the week after she moved in, and she is still smiling and beaming that this was the right decision, and she feels at home.  

“Everything went well,” she said warmly. “I’ve already met my neighbors, and Billy’s already made friends with the dogs next door.” 

For Marie, Pine Edge isn’t just a place to live; it’s the next chapter in her story. One filled with comfort, familiarity, and the supportive community she cherished all those years ago. 

“It just feels right,” she says. Her smile says the rest.