Aberdeen Heights
MAY 2022
Editor’s Note: In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we regularly feature a column from a PMMA® chaplain in our newsletter. This month’s column comes from Mary Bridges, chaplain at Salina Presbyterian Manor®
Mary’s Musings May is for remembering our Veterans At the end of May on Memorial Day, families take time to remember loved ones, and call special attention to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. The origin of Memorial Day dates back to 1868, when people set aside a day each spring to pay homage to the soldiers who had lost their lives in the Civil War. Here at Aberdeen Heights, we likewise want to acknowledge our Veteran residents who braved danger home and abroad, serving their country Health Center resident proudly. Charles Clayton
Health Care resident Charles Clayton spent four years in the Navy during the Korean war. His grandsons have all followed in his footsteps - and have carried on the family tradition of serving in the United States military. Be sure to take a few moments to thank Charles - as well as our other Veterans - for their dedication to our freedom and for defending the United States, yesterday and today. u
By Mary Bridges, Chaplain
I must confess that Memorial Day was never my favorite holiday. Growing up, my family made our annual trek to the cemetery to deliver fresh peonies from my mom’s garden. That evening, we’d go back to pick them up. As I grew older, I began to lose friends and family members — even our son. Visiting graves and offering remembrances still left me feeling sad and empty. However, my view on Memorial Day has changed. To illustrate that, I want to tell you about my friend Mary Ellen from Menomonee Falls, Wis. We became friends in 1999 while serving on a national women’s board. More importantly, we became prayer partners. Each day when I awoke, I visualized Mary Ellen on her treadmill, praying with me. Through 20 years, we prayed with each other through our ordinary days, through illnesses and the loss of loved ones. In the midst of the pandemic, Mary Ellen was diagnosed with cancer. Her final Christmas letter in 2019 ended with these words from scripture: “Be
Charles Clayton has four grandsons who also serve in the military.
Prayer – continued on page 4
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at AberdeenSeniorLiving.com/covid-19.
1
Enjoy our Art is Ageless® artists Two of our talented residents will be displaying their creative abilities by showcasing their Art is Ageless entries for everyone to enjoy. Health Center resident Toni McCoy is displaying her painting “The Tree Stump,” which she recently
Toni won 1st place in Art is Ageless when she lived in Independent Living
completed. She previously won First Place in the competition with some of her other works. Lynne Jamison is also displaying her
Other paintings Toni has done in the past.
entry “Don’t Delay” which is framed and on display. Take time to enjoy the wonderful work of our talented residents. u
Lynne Jamison displaying “Don’t Delay”. She recently completed and is planning on framing soon. Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
Community Matters 314-909-6010 ◆ Fax: 913-599-3810 505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122-5536 AberdeenSeniorLiving.com
2
COMMUNITY MATTERS | May 2022
is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Heights by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: jwhackbarth@pmma.org Christie Wolff, executive director Tony Altobella, health care administrator
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Motherhood a gift for generations When Laurie Thiess thinks of her mother, she sees a hands-on, loving mother, who has been a great babysitter for her grandchildren, and a supportive fan of her great grandchildren. Memory Support resident Virginia Karpowicz raised five children, who in turn gave her 16 grandchildren, who then gave her 16 great-grandchildren. Through it all, she’s been a supportive, caring, and nurturing mother. “My mom was an accomplished writer, prior to having kids,” Laurie said. “She wrote for local newspapers and was a writer/producer for a radio program. She was a great helper with homework and a great editor. She was a wonderful homework helper - late into her 80s she was still helping grandchildren edit resumes or papers.” Virginia was also a huge sports fan - taking the family to St. Louis Cardinals games as often as possible each summer. “She loved the Cardinals, and knew all the players by name,” Laurie said. “She was familiar with other teams they were playing, but she was a lifelong Cardinals fan. She got that from her father.” In fact, Virginia, who is now 94, attended a Cardinals game just about 5 years ago. In addition to the Cardinals, she faithfully rooted for Notre Dame. Virginia had her children relatively
Ginny with her husband and children
close together - with a set of twins to round out the family. “She had a bunch of young people at once,” Laurie said. “Mom loved the chaos, and family truly was the most important thing to her.” As her children grew to have children of her own, Laurie said her mother quickly made the transition to doting and attentive grandmother. “She was a kind, loving, typical grandmother,” Laurie said. “The kids all loved going to grandma’s house. She’d let them eat ice cream
and let them stay up late. She was a huge supporter of the grandchildren. Even though at some point all the children lived out of town they made the extra effort to visit the grands all over the country.” All the while, she was active in her church and her children’s schools. “If they ever needed a volunteer, they could always count on Mom,” Laurie said. “She was just a lovely, friendly, kind woman. My brothers and sisters talk about how lucky we were to have her for all those years.”u
Aberdeen Heights | A PMMA COMMUNITY
3
Prayer – continued from page 1 strong and of good courage. Be not frightened or dismayed. For your God is with you wherever you go” from Joshua 1:9 and “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” from John 14:27. In April 2020, I received word that she had died.
will celebrate the people I dearly miss by reaching out to their loved ones to share the impact they had on my life. Last year, I sent a letter to Mary Ellen’s family telling them how blessed I was to have known her and how her memory continues to
JOSHUA 1:9
505 Couch Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122
COMMUNITY MATTERS | May 2022
To God be the glory!u
“For your God is with you wherever you go”
That year, I felt that empty feeling on Memorial Day. I decided that I will always take my offering of remembrance to those who are no longer living, as I was raised to do. But then I
4
sustain me. I invite you to join me in memorializing your loved ones by writing or phoning their family and friends and sharing how they affected your life. It has become my favorite way to celebrate Memorial Day.