Christmas grretingd this year bring with them the sad news of my mother's passing on December 8th at Ivy House Residential Care, her comfortable home for the past six-plus years. She was 91. The likeness of her on the memorial card was drawn by her grandson Stephen.

 

My mom has been in steady decline over the past year or so, with "the dwindles" as Dr. Whitehouse, one of her favorite MDs and Ivy House's gerontologist, would say. Her final days were peaceful and restful. She was well attended by the staff and hospice specialists and volunteers. Her favorite "Polack" nurse and D.O.N. Eva Kanieski was especially loving to her, hovering over her and towards the end kissing and blessing her with holy water, sometimes two or three times a day. Mom was her Polish Princess.

 

Page and I love only five minutes from Ivy House so we were able to visit often over the last days. Fr. Vellenga and volunteers from St. Mary brought her communion.

 

 

Mom was confined to a wheelchair her entire tiem with us, although until a year ago, she was able to visit the mall with a small group of Ivy folks, to decorate a Christmas tree at Lake FarmPark, and to get out occasionally to eat with us. Overall, her health was good and she was cared for very well including a pacemaker replacement, cataract surgery on both eyes and other "tune-ups".

 

Mom was overjoyed with family visits this year. My brother Ed and wife Deanne spent brief times throughout the year, including one with daughter Laura and little Sean. My daughter Monica was here in early spring. On Mom's friend Mary Ellen Clark's visit from Detriot, her daughter-in-law Melissa brought little Xavier. Of course "Babcia" was delighted to play with her adopted great-grandchild. Eileen Clark visited recently and her brother Chris Clark (with furry sidekick Madison) also paid a visit and entertained Mom and other Ivy residents.

 

She reveled in a little mayhem and laughter on two occasions during midsummer when Page and I cared for young Anna and Jake while our son Nick and wife Jen welcomed home baby Madeline in Indianapolis. the kiddies particularly enjoyed the thirty or so stuffed toys Mom had, her Polish decorated wooden eggs, as well as making maracas and other creative entertainments

 

Throughout the year, Mom was still able to do puzzles and involve herself in numerous Ivy House activities like making decorations, baking cookies and cakes, playing Bingo (where she won frequently, of course), singing along with great musicians, and visiting with pets and thier masters. She greatly enjoyed visits by Mary Pat Frey, one of Page's friends, plus saying the weekly rosary witht he other residents and Gertrude the volunteer.

Well, that's the happy/sad news this holiday. Mom certainly is reveling in enexpressible joys including relief from her past considerable limitations - physical, social and spiritual. We all wish you Christmas blessings where this year an infant is so much more meaningful than ever before.

 

Bob

 

It all started when we were inquiring about respite care for my mother Betty Jane Martin. After checking out the different respite/assisted living homes in the area, we were pleasantly impressed with the Ivy House and it's cozy appeal. As it turns out Betty fells the Ivy House has all the comforts of home. She loves the staff and gets along well with the other residents. Betty also looks forward to the activities which are scheduled weekly, including holiday decorations which gives the Ivy House such a warm enviroment.