Community Matters Aberdeen Village
April 2019
Pre-planning a memorial service By Diane Gunsolley, chaplain Aberdeen Village
I was blessed with a wonderful grandmother named Lucile. She was upbeat and lived life to the fullest. She was also one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I’ve known. As a little girl, every visit to grandma’s house was filled with love. When I left for college, she sent me a letter every week without fail, knowing how much I missed being home. When grandma passed away, I found out that she had chosen the hymns and the scripture for her service. She had even written her own obituary except for the final date. Twenty some years later, my mother passed away. She had basically done the same except she also ran four copies of her wishes (one for each child) and mailed them to us years before her passing. She explained CHAPLAIN, continued on page 2 CEO, continued on page 4
Pianist Edwin Funkunaga gives his time and talent as a volunteer performer at Aberdeen Village. We’re grateful for his gift.
Valuing volunteers April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we have so many to highlight at Aberdeen Village! This time, we chose to shine the spotlight on a volunteer who brings hopeful harmony. Every Sunday, Aberdeen Village residents are treated to the sweet sounds of musicians who donate their time and talents to provide familiar hymns and worship music. One such volunteer is Edwin Funkunaga, whose talent was recruited from Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church by Rev. Don Wilson. “I play once a week at the 3 o’clock service. When I was asked by Rebecca, our music director at church, who’d been asked by Rev. Don Wilson to find someone to volunteer, I thought it would be a good fit. I’d been doing some other playing and accompanying with a church choir VOLUNTEERS, continued on page 4
A proud member of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America
CHAPLAIN, continued from page 1
that she had more life to live but just wanted to “take care of business so we wouldn’t have to.” She even told us where to look on her bookshelf for a music CD containing a special song that she wanted played. It was a beautiful duet titled “The Prayer” that Celine Dion sang with Andrea Bocelli. Even today, over 15 years later, I shed a tear every time I hear it because it connects me with her. Looking back, I know it was such a tremendous blessing to be able to just follow a plan instead of trying to figure things out during
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Village by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at: PresbyterianManors.org. Tim Allin, executive director Sean Roark, director of sales and marketing To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Sean Roark, director of sales and marketing, sroark@pmma.org. Telephone: 913-599-6100 Fax: 913-599-3810 Address: 17500 W. 119th St., Olathe, KS 66061-9524 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
such an emotional time. It was also wonderful to sit and hear the music and scripture that had been meaningful to them. My own life story and over 10 years of experience as a chaplain give me understanding of the value of a preplanned memorial service. Some of you are like my Grandma Lucile and have planned everything. The only thing that you have left to do is stop by my office and fill me in, so that I can be prepared, too. For others of you reading this, the thought of pre-planning your own service has absolutely no appeal.You’ve made your decisions regarding business affairs but prefer that your family make decisions regarding a service. If that’s you, stop reading this article and place it in your children’s hands. It may help them to gain understanding of what is available here at Aberdeen Village. I encourage them to set up an appointment for pre-planning. For the rest of you, I recommend that you stop by my office and we can open a pre-planning file. This process is by no means a morbid one: on the contrary, it is a positive and even comforting step by minimizing the chance that complications will arise later. The pre-planning file will contain your choices for the service as well as state what type of service or services will be held. The following overview may help demystify the options. Memorial service at Aberdeen Village A memorial service differs from a funeral service in that the casket/ urn is not present. Our policy is to offer only memorial services at
2
Community Matters April 2019
Aberdeen Village. Choosing to have a memorial service at Aberdeen Village makes it easier for residents and staff to attend. Most services are open, but occasionally families prefer a private service. This religious service can be offered in addition to the church/ funeral home service, or it can be the only service. Our Brandt Chapel has a maximum capacity of 50 and parking near the front entrance is limited. For larger services, chairs are set up in the wings outside the chapel and parking must overflow to other lots. Following the memorial service there is often a reception. Light refreshments are served which are provided by the family. Our dining services department is available for catering should you so desire. Our Aberdeen Village Memorial Service Policy contains important information. Service at a local church or funeral home Sometimes the best option is for the service to be at a local church or funeral home. Families with a strong connection to a local church feel comforted by their pastor within their faith tradition. Larger memorial services may require a location with better parking options. When the service is at another location, the Aberdeen chaplain may still be available to officiate the service should you so desire. Some Aberdeen Village residents wish to attend services. Transportation may be available for our residents if the service is CHAPLAIN, continued on page 3 Like us on Facebook
Presbyterian Manor system to celebrate 70 years On April 19, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America (PMMA) will celebrate its 70th anniversary. Our first very first community opened in Newton, Kan., on April 19, 1949, nearly two years after 90-year-old Alice Kalb of El Dorado, Kan., asked the United Presbyterian Synod if it would consider opening a home for the aged. A small exploratory committee formed to look at the idea and determined it had merit. To raise funds for the Newton effort, a dedicated offering throughout the synod took place on Mother’s Day in 1948. The practice of raising funds for Presbyterian Manors on Mother’s Day continues today. The first resident, Mrs. Frances Belle Townsend of Smith Center, Kan., moved into the first Presbyterian home for the aged on April 19. Alice Kalb moved in on April 21, and lived there until her death in 1951. CHAPLAIN, continued from page 2
When it came time to name this new establishment, the committee did not choose to name it the Presbyterian Home for the Aged. Instead, based on the separate suggestions of two women—Mrs. Mary Page of Topeka and Grace Derby of Manhattan, it was named Newton Presbyterian Manor. Grace later lived at Presbyterian Manor in Newton until her death in 1966.
Alice’s dream has turned into a network of 17 senior living communities across Kansas and Missouri with more than 2,400 residents. The mission of the organization remains true to its core: to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values. PMMA has plans to extend its mission with the proposed development of Aberdeen Ridge in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Informal neighborhood memorial service
Aberdeen Village remembrance reception
nearby. It is important that we be notified of the funeral details as soon This special memorial occurs in The as possible for transportation to be Highlands assisted living and health scheduled effectively. care neighborhoods, typically where the person lived. If the church/funeral home plans to web stream the service, please The chaplain leads a brief communicate details so residents neighborhood memorial service just may participate. before lunch so residents and staff Graveside service
may more easily attend.
This brief service is held in lieu of a traditional funeral service. The Aberdeen chaplain may be available to officiate the service should you so desire. Residents typically do not attend due to logistical concerns.
During the service, memories are shared. Family is warmly invited to be part of this informal service and many times chooses to attend. Family should notify the chaplain if they plan to be present.
Like us on Facebook
In lieu of a memorial service, a remembrance reception is an option. Typically, the family will provide refreshments and be available to friends who wish to express their sympathy. Friends may arrive any time during the posted visiting hours. A slide show or photos with memorabilia are sometimes displayed.This reception may be held in the chapel or the second floor living room of assisted living. Contact me at dgunsolley@ pmma.org, 913-213-1686 or stop by my office. Aberdeen Village
3
Aberdeen Village 17500 W. 119th St. Olathe, KS 66061 Return Service Requested
VOLUNTEERS, continued from page 1
and other groups. I learn a lot from doing it, and other people seem to appreciate it,” said Edwin.
Angel Appeal donors The following names were inadvertently left off of the list of Angel Appeal donors listed in our March issue. We apologize for the error.
Edwin has been playing piano since Anonymous he was a child, and he also plays the violin and clarinet. He is the third Mr. Warren and Mrs. Darla Thompson generation of musicians in his family. Mr. Phillip and Mrs. Wilda Vogel “My parents are both musicians, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick A. Walter and my sister and brother-in-law are musicians and music teachers. Rev. William M. Walter His grandmother was an organist Mr. William L. Ward at her church as well,” said Edwin. “Classical is probably my favorite Mr. Edward Weger type of music to play, but I play a Mrs. Ethel Welch little bit of ragtime, too.” We’re grateful to Edwin and to all the other musical volunteers who make Aberdeen Village an even better place to call home!
4
Community Matters April 2019
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Weldy Mrs. Mary Wilmoth Mr. and Mrs. Stephen L. Wilson Like us on Facebook