Meet Marcia
Executive Director
How long have you worked in the retirement industry?
18-1/2 years
What do you like best about your job?
The interaction with residents and the wonderful relationships I have built over the years.
What do you like to do in your free time and why?
I enjoy spending time with my grandson – he keeps me young. I also enjoy hiking, fishing, cooking and scrap-booking.
If you could meet one person, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would love to sit down with Pope John Paul II. I saw him in 1993 from a distance and his awesome love for all was inspiring.
What’s your favorite movie and why?
“Ghost”, I love the idea of coming back to those you love.
What’s your favorite dish or dessert and why?
Mashed potatoes and bacon because it reminds me of my grandmother.
In what ways do your residents inspire you?
They all have such wonderful stories and great fortitude.
Do you have any memorable experiences with a particular resident you would like to share?
There have been so many wonderful people who I have had the great honor to know, but I will pick one. At my last community we had a resident who turned 100 and I asked her what her secret was. She told me: “Take care of yourself, eat well (lots of fruits and vegetables, a little wine and olive oil.)” Her skin was so beautiful, so I asked her: “Do you put the olive oil on your face?” She laughed and said “No I use it in everything, salad, bases and cooking.”
How do you honor your residents at your community?
Taking time to listen to them and helping them with their needs and difficult decisions.
Tell us about a resident with a remarkable life story?
One gentleman lied about his age so he could serve in the war. He was a forest ranger at 17 years of age and a perfect gentleman his whole life. He wore a suit and tie every day. His love for his wife through her illness and strength to live almost 100 years was inspiring.
Tell us about a resident whose life changed for the better once they moved to your community.
One resident was insistent on going home every day. We were able to get her involved in the community, and she lived very happily for 6years as an active member of the community. She would always welcome new residents with her story, and how we helped make her love her new home.
In what ways do your employees inspire you?
The patience and understanding the employees have with the residents is inspiring.
How do you create a family-like atmosphere at your community?
I believe in treating all residents (and their family) and employees as family. It is important to be genuine and sincere in all your relationships. I believe in paying attention to detail and making sure I know the resident’s and employee’s needs.
Tell us about an employee who embodies one of our core values – integrity, respect, responsibility, professionalism or teamwork.
There have been so many throughout the years so to pick just one would be unfair. Some that come to mind are the receptionists who have so much going on during the day, but will stop everything to help a resident carry in their groceries; the maintenance director who helps a resident program their new television or offer to bring up their car on a snowy day; the Chef who cooks a custard pie from a resident’s grandmother’s recipe; the program manager who goes out of her way to find a special program or movie for a resident.