Home Instead® staff and Care Professionals recently gathered to remember friends and senior clients who recently have passed away. Our seniors shared their lives and stories with us. As Care Pros, we grow attached and grieve at their passing. Although we make their final chapter happier and safer, a grieving process is healthy. Home Instead supports and enables this process.
Each Care Pro spoke freely about a client or Home Instead loved one, choosing the senior to fondly remember. Each attendee at the Monthly Remembrance then posted a butterfly on rainbow wall. Here are their stories.
Carol R.
Carol was a Home Instead Care Pro for more than 24 years who recently passed away peacefully after battling cancer. Carol will be remembered for her sweet smile, always looking good and never, ever having a problem too big with which to bother anybody. Her laugh and smile were sweet, loving and constant.
Gus G.
Gus was a wonderful husband who called Home Instead to care for his wife, who had dementia. He said on that first call; “I’m getting a little older now. I can’t make her look as pretty as she deserves to look. Can you please help me make my sweetheart be pretty every day?” Gus became our client and lived to the wonderful age of 105. He painted every day and had a smile for everyone. His words of wisdom are: “Be kind to someone every day.”
Jack K.
At age 102, Jack could recount stories of WWII and how he flew with the Army Air Corps across the North Atlantic. In 1941, it took four flights to cross the ocean because no propeller plane could make it nonstop. His crew also flew without radar or radio once they lost sight of land, using a compass and windspeed to calculate distance to their destination. The radio towers and flight experiences his crews used in the war became part of the infrastructure still used by today’s modern airlines. Thank you for your service, Jack!
Joanne M.
Joanne was a Care Pro for 21 years! During that time, she raised five children, cared for her mother and mother-in-law, and was caring for her ill husband when she was called home. During her two decades-plus of service, no client ever refused Joanne. Everyone appreciated Joanne’s hard work, straight talk and punctuality. The world would work better if we had a few more people like Joanne!
Paul C.
Paul was a joker and lifelong prankster who escaped Cuba as a teenager in the 1950s. He loved to roll his own cigars. Paul also loved his large family and many, many children. Thanks to you, Paul, we learned a few colorful Spanish words!
Elsye W.
Elsye was a Care Pro who gave love and fun to everyone around her. When Elyse was on hospice care, children of several Home Instead clients would visit her. This achievement, that your Home Instead families returned your care with care in your hour of need, encapsulates the glory and joy of caregiving. It’s a family affair, and Elyse, we miss you every day.
Shirley
You are a legend, Shirley! You were the first Care Pro to drive a company car! Your smile never left you. Fun at picnics and birthday parties were your thing. The innumerable games and apps on your phone that you used to entertain seniors were a wonder of the world. Your grandchildren meant everything to you. You taught us to live, love and laugh. Thank you.
