In celebration of Women’s History Month, and in recognition of the 2026 national theme, “Leading the Change! Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” PPH is proud to highlight the accomplishments, experiences and contributions of the women in our community throughout the month of March.
Stories from the Women
Residents of PPH
Today, PPH women may not be astronauts or zoologists, but they can proudly share their accomplishments and adventures. Join them for four special programs in the Social Hall throughout March, where each presenter will reflect on meaningful moments from her life, offer insights and advice, discuss her career, and share memorable experiences.
Women's - Continued on page 4
Pictured above, PPH residents Sue Roye and Maxine Littlepage at last year's Women's History Month presentation. Sue spoke about her career in education and shared her photography; Maxine spoke about her travels and shared her ceramic collection. This month, a new set of women will tell their stories!
Teaching Kitchen — How to Make Hummus
Morrison Living, PPH's Culinary team, recently held a special "Teaching Kitchen" presentation. Chef Chris Harding and Registered Dietician Alyssa Jacullo gave a cooking demonstration, "How to Make Hummus. Be on the lookout for more Teaching Kitchens from our Culinary team.
Going Above and Beyond: Meet February’s Guardian Angels
PPH celebrated three new Guardian Angels in the month of February!
Marie Lamothe, a CNA in Personal Care, was recognized as a dependable worker who always has a positive attitude.
"Marie gets along with everyone and is admired by her team members and leadership in Personal Care," said Personal Care Administrator Shelly Perez.
Violaine Moreau, a CNA and Medication Technician in Personal Care, was recognized for always being a team player. Violaine often picks up shifts when PPH needs her the most and goes out of her way to visit all residents, offering encouragement during continuum of care transitions.
"Violaine is kind, gentle and hardworking, and we are grateful to have her at PPH," said Shelly. "Marie and Violaine also work very well together!"
Andre Anderson of Environmental Services was recognized by a group of residents for his under-the-radar work, which indicates a job well done. Andre was chosen by Emil Scharer, Ann Alexander, Carol Drummond, Lena Oliver, Kathy Andrews-Williams and Yvonne Andrews.
"Andre, sometimes work is performed by others that goes
unseen, but you know it’s done when you see trash is emptied, floors are cleaned and decks are washed. Whenever you encounter a resident there is a smile on your face and your familiar response, 'How are you doing?' Thanks for your services," said the group in a statement.
Recognize someone special Express your gratitude and appreciation by honoring a PPH team member's compassion, quality care and excellent service with a $300
Employee of the Month:
Kimberly Smith - CNA, Personal Care
Kimberly Smiht's hard work, dedication, and positive attitude have truly made a difference. She inspires us all, and we are proud to celebrate her. We look forward to seeing even more great things from her in the future. Thank you, Kimberly, for your incredible effort and for being such a valuable part of PPH. Keep shining and leading the way! Thank you for doing “Whatever it takes!”
Above, team member
Andre Anderson with PPH Leadership and some of the residents who recogized him.
Left, Marie Lamothe and Violaine Moreau with PPH resident Emil Scharer and PC Admin Shelley Perez.
Guardian Angel gift. Team members recognized as Guardian Angels will receive a $50 gift card, custom lapel pin and receive eligibility for the community's annual Service Excellence Award!
For more information , contact Senior Director of Advancement Marianna Calabrese at 215-697-8508 or mcalabrese@pphfamily.org annual Service Excellence Award
From your generous gift, $250 will go to Benevolent Care at PPH.
Volunteer of the Month: Lorraine Busch
Congratulations to Lorraine Busch, a longtime PPH Greenhouse volunteer! During the busy holiday season, Lorraine cared for the numerous poinsettias throughout the PPH campus, ensuring they stayed vibrant and healthy for everyone to enjoy. Lorraine’s reliability, attention to detail and quiet dedication brought warmth and beauty to our space when it mattered most.
Celebrating Service and Looking Ahead
In February, PPH celebrated the retirement of longtime Volunteer Coordinator Carol Cherrington after 27 years as a dedicated PPH employee! Residents, team members, and Carol's family and friends gathered to thank her for her commitment to the PPH community.
And this celebration was only a farewell to the 9- to 5- version of Carol — as a PPH resident in Lawndale and possibly even a volunteer, she won't be going very far!
"It's so nice to celebrate today with my family and friends," she said, noting that many traveled in from far away. "I look forward to my future as a full-time PPH resident."
Building on the strong foundation that Carol helped build, PPH has integrated the Director of Community Relations and Volunteer Coordinator roles, bringing two closely aligned departments together to better serve our residents and community.
Bill Conaway has been named Director of Community and Volunteer Engagement. A dedicated member of the PPH team for 45 years, Bill brings deep institutional knowledge and strong community relationships to this expanded role.
Bill will continue leading key initiatives such as the Veteran’s Program, room reservations and special functions, while building on the success of the Gift Shop and exploring new ways to grow volunteer involvement
Meet our Newest Residents!
Joan Crommarty recently moved to PPH's Alpha building from Northeast Philadelphia.
Joan grew up in West Philly, where she attended John Bartram High School, and later went on to study at Temple's College of Business. She worked at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as an administrative assistant.
Joan enjoys decorating layettes.
Joan, we're glad to have you at PPH!
among residents, local colleges and universities, and community members.
“We are deeply grateful to Carol for her years of dedicated service and the volunteer program she helped build at PPH,” said PPH Director of Advancement Marianna Calabrese. “Bill’s experience and commitment to our community make him exceptionally well suited to lead this next chapter of engagement.”
Please join us in congratulating both Carol and Bill — by wishing Carol a happy retirement and supporting Bill in this exciting next chapter!
Bernard Wendell recently moved to PPH’s Lawndale building from New York!
Bernard grew up in the Olney section of Philadelphia, where he attended Cardinal Dougherty High School. He later attended Temple University and Lehman College.
Bernard is a US Navy Veteran. He has six children and many grandchildren.
Bernard is an avid golfer and is highly familiar with many area golf
courses. He also enjoys gardening and hopes to begin planting outside of Lawndale.
Selena Bryant-Fuller recently moved to PPH's Alpha Manor building from the Overbrook section of Philadelphia.
Selena grew up in West Philly and attended West Philadelphia High School. She worked as a buyer as Sears, Roebuck & Co. Selena enjoys arts and crafts and attending plays.
Happy 100th birthday, Dolly!
Lisa Borine of Senator Christine Tartaglione's office presents Dolly Lafferty with a citation recognizing her 100th birthday!
Family, friends, and neighbors gathered in PPH’s Social Hall to celebrate resident Dolly’s 100th birthday. Loved ones spanning generations — traveling from across the country, including as far as Seattle — joined in the special celebration. Dolly marked the milestone in February.
A Philadelphia native who also spent many years in Cape May, New Jersey, Dolly moved to PPH’s Gateway Building in 2010. Over the years, she has formed close friendships with her Gateway neighbors and has remained an active member of the crafts group.
Representatives from the Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania, as well as the offices of Rep. Anthony Bellmon and Senator Christine Tartaglione, stopped by to present the great-great-grandmother with letters and official recognitions and citations of her remarkable achievement.
PPH is proud to be home to more than a dozen centenarians across all levels of care — Dolly’s birthday was a joyful reminder of the vibrant community that makes PPH so special.
Out and about throughout the greater community
Alpha resident Loretta Sucharski gets ready to dig into a tasty meal at Babari Nepali & Indian Cuisine in nearby Huntingdon Valley, PA.
This trip was one of many excursions our Independent Living residents take through PPH transportation services. Whether it's local trips to nearby retail stores or restaurants, Citizens Bank Park for a Phillies game, or a further destination such as the Jersey Shore, our residents enjoy being out and about and the company of one another!
Check out the March IL calendar for a list of upcoming trips to restaurants, stores and more.
Babari Nepali & Indian Cuisine is one of many nearby restaurants our residents have traveled to through PPH transportation services.
Women's -
Continued from page 1
Movies
and Display
Tune into channel 8 on Saturdays for films highlighting remarkable women in history. Be sure to visit the resident display cabinet in the Esplanade, which will showcase the many ways women have contributed to society.
Collection Drive
PPH always strives to remember and care for our own — our community will sponsor a collection of care and comfort items for the PPH men and women in Personal Care, Chapters Memory Care and Pathways Skilled Nursing. Join us and celebrate
Women's History Month!
For a list of program dates, presenters, movies and more information on the collection, please see the IL calendar, bulletin boards and channels 2 and 4.
• To view REACH, visit PPHFamily.org and click REACH Newsletter under the About menu.
• You can also view current and past editions of REACH by visiting the PPH Library, Learning Center or Tech Center (across from Tabor Market). Icons are located on each computer's desktop.
Happy March! Outside our windows, the winter sun is getting a little closer each day as spring approaches. Tulip and daffodil bulbs wait with anticipation under the earth as songbirds and waterfowls take flight once more for their northern homes. Through our windows, hints of color begin to appear in the trees, but winter is not over yet. March can be a bittersweet time, mixed with both hope and disappointment like an unexpected snowfall on fresh cherry blossoms.
notes in the symphony of spring as azaleas bloom like fireworks in slow motion before our very eyes, while we hold our breath for the last biting frost to pass. As we know, March is marked by the season of Lent, a time in the church’s liturgical calendar marked by abstinence from luxuries and indulgences. This practice is meant as a way to prepare our hearts for Easter, when we celebrate Jesus’ death and resurrection. During this time, from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, Christians observe in themselves a need for nourishment beyond nutriment, for life beyond life.
with rain and seen the paperwhites pushing up through the ground?
“Christ is contingency” says poet Christian Wiman; not static, but actively entering the chaos, change and suffering of our human nature. Just as the earth begins to thaw in expectation of new life, may we also attune our hearts to both the quiet of these last late winter days, and the immensity waiting for us on the other side.
Tree
By Jane Hirshfield
Springtime can feel like a shock to the world, interrupting the quiet that settles after the jubilation of the holiday season has long passed. As poet Rainer Maria Rilke put it in a letter to a friend, “Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night.”
This month, we witness the first
Whether we are experiencing loss, physical ailment or emotional hardships, accepting new life in Christ can be as difficult as any seemingly impossible change can be. In the depths of our own winters, the inevitability of spring sounds more often like an empty promise than a future already fulfilled. But, young as you are, this is not your first spring. How many times have you woken to smell the soil wet
Sojourning in Africa: Stories from residents Jane and Larry Jones
On Feb. 18 as part of PPH's recognition of Black History Month, PPH residents Jane and Larry Jones (pictured) shared stories from their time living in Africa (1989–2001). While living abroad, Larry served as a high school principal and later a superintendent, and Jane taught kindergarten and second grade. Together, they reflected on the adventures — and challenges — of raising two daughters on the other side of the world.
It is foolish to let a young redwood grow next to a house. Even in this one lifetime, you will have to choose. That great calm being, this clutter of soup pots and books — Already the first branch-tips brush at the window. Softly, calmly, immensity taps at your life.
Jane and Larry, as Larry displays the symbols of his position as a village chief.
THE PPH MISSION
Guided by Christian values, the mission of The Philadelphia Protestant Home is to provide a caring senior living community that affords its residents the opportunity to achieve their highest possible quality of life.
