Resident Spotlight for May
June 7, 2019The month of May’s spotlight shines brightly upon Mary.
In November of 1924, Mary was born in the Hazelwood neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has fond memories of dressing up to go shopping in “downtown” Pittsburgh with her mother and two sisters, and sled riding down the street that would be closed off just for that purpose.
Mary remembers walking up this same street to attend Taylor Allderdice High School. She was involved with a work-study program while in high school and worked at the lunch counter of Murphy’s Five & Dime. During one of her work days, she met a young man named Jim, who was playing hooky from school that day. Soon after Mary and Jim met, he left to serve in the Army in WW2. Although the young couple had not spent that much time together before he left, they got to know each other very well through letters during his time away. Jim returned home on February 5, 1946. He and Mary wed on February 28 of that same year.
A few years after they married, Mary and Jim moved to the Cleveland area. They first lived with Mary’s Aunt Lucretia, with whom Mary had spent many summers during her childhood. They then found their way to Lake County. In 1956 they built a house on Magnolia Avenue in Mentor. Here they stayed for all of their fifty-four years of marriage, raised six children, and celebrated the births of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren (a total of fifty-two so far).
Mary remembers when Mentor was rural and was called the “rose capital of the country.” She remembers when the Great Lakes Mall was a beautiful rose garden, and most of the roads were unpaved. Mary and Jim were founding members of St. John Vianney Church.
When her children were older, Mary started working as a cafeteria aide at Shore Junior High School. She and Jim enjoyed bowling and bowled on a weekly league together. She also bowled on a ladies’ league. Mary was involved in Isabelle’s, a women’s group at St. Mary’s church. She was also active in the Knights of Columbus.
Mary is an active member of The Ridge’s community and attends many of the life enrichment programs. She has formed some close friendships. And, she is quick to offer comfort to anyone who may need an ear to listen or a hand to hold.
Although Mary says she is very happy with everything at the Ridge, from her room to the food, nothing brightens her day like daily visits from her children. She is happy for them most of all.
Mentor Ridge Health and Rehabilitation and its parent company, Foundations Health Solutions, strive to be a “Culture of Care” - in every aspect of what we do. Whether physical health and rehabilitation or nurturing relationships and community, we aim to cultivate strong and healthy lives. Founded by Brian Colleran, Foundations Health Solutions is Ohio’s premier long-term care company. Formerly doing business as Provider Services, our team of experts has more than 15 years of experience successfully supporting over 100 multifaceted long-term care facilities.
With strong Christian values and heritage, Foundations Health Solutions is committed to serving our communities with the highest level of clinical excellence and resident satisfaction, along with a strong employee culture which places priority and resources on the direct caregiving team.