From the beginning of Mom's stay at Our Lady's Haven to her death last week, the staff and particularly the third floor team have been outstanding and caring professionals.  They supported and encouraged my mother as she made the difficult adjustment from her home to her life at the home and continued their dedicated efflorts throughout the eleven months that she was in their care.  They made her feel special, respecting her personal preferences and particular idiosyncracies and above all, provide a loving and safe place for her.  The Diocese, the residents and their families are fortunate to have such a committed group of people.

We would like to acknowledge the entire staff of Unit One at the Catholic Memorial Home for the love and care given our mother.  As an involved family, we were most fortunate to witness many kindnesses that went above and beyond routine care.  The staff are not paid for these things in their weekly check and certainly no amount could compensate.  They were given from their hearts and we greatly appreciated their many good deeds.

In the name of the Holy Union Sisters, I want to thank you for the care you gave to our Sister Rose Marie Ouellet.  The kindness and concern you extended to her everyday to meet her needs are greatly appreciated.  I want to especially thank you for your attentiveness to her and your presence to us during the time she was in the dying process.  May God continue to bless you and your ministry as a nurse as you care for the sick and elderly at Madonna Manor.

On behalf of my family, I would like to take this time to thank you and your entire staff of the Sacred Heart Home for the exceptional care that was shown to my father.  Although I am an employee of the facility and well aware of the wonderful care delivered to our residents, my family was not aware.  Placing a loved one into a long term care facility is emotionally draining.  You and your staff made this transition much easier for everyone involved.  We purchased a very expensive lift chair for my father's use, and unfortunately, it was delivered the day before he died and he never used it.  We would like to donate this chair to the facility in hopes that another resident would benefit from using it.  We are also including a monetary donation to be used at your discretion to continue with the wonderful work that is done at Sacred Heart home.  I would also like to say at this time that I am proud to a part of this mission. 

With heartfelt appreciation, the family of Antonio V. Sousa would like to express how grateful we are to all staff who ministered to our Dad.  Their endless concern, their capable and comforting care and above all their genuine caring spirit these last four months made our Dad happy and content, and Catholic Memorial truly became his second home.  Our sincere thanks for the respect and dignity he received during the last months of his life.

For 3 1/2 years our mother was a resident of Catholic Memorial Home, where she received wonderful care, thanks ot all the thoughful and loving people who daily see that the residents' needs are met.  But it does not stop at the necessities.  The activities and social department is always thinking of great things to do and exciting places to go.  I will always remember the hayride Mom went on....she talked about it for weeks!  Therefor, we would like to make a contribution to the van fund in memory of our mother and that " memorable hayride".  It is our hope that other will enjoy the van as much as she did.  Thank you for being there when we needed you.  Words cannot express how we feell about the staff at your wonderful home.

I have been an RN for 40 years with experience as a Hospital Supervisor, Nursing Home supervisor, and IV nurse.  I have worked in three Nursing Homes for 31 years.  I feel it is important to tell you what I have learned in the months that I have been employed at Marian Manor on their Alzheimer's Unit.   Ray McAndrews is a sincere, warm and caring administrator to all staff, residents and their families.  I truly believe the happiness in the home begins at the top.  Cindy Pelczarski, RN, DON, hired me and her caring for employees is obvious.  She has bent over backwards for me and is always available to me.  Nancy Folcik, RN, the Alzheimer's unit manager has been so kind and supportive.  I feel that same warmth and love throughout the Home in all departments.  How you managed to get a whole Home of loving, caring people is beyond me.  God surely blessed me and I am very thankful.  My only regret is I didn't apply for a job here years ago!

Finally, our long overdue THANK YOU to you and the staff at Madonna Manor.  We are so very pleased with the care and caring that Don and our family received during Don's stay.  Every department, every person we encountered was gracious, caring, attentive and I can go on and on with more superlatives to describe this wonderful group of invididuals.

We finally received the Sara Lift.  Due to the physical demands of providing care, I was beginning to question my decision to bring Don home.  Because of the Sara Lift, I find it easier to perform the varied tasks required to care for him.  Don recently was attended to in the ER at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, due to a problem with one of his medications.  So may thoughts went trhough my head e.g ' If I can no longer care for him, please let there be a bed at Madonna Manor '. 

Please extend our appreication and thankfulness to the amazing staff that provided care and guidance to us during his stay at Madonna Manor.