Farmington Community matters November 2019

Farmington Presbyterian Manor

NOVEMBER 2019

Employee of the Month: Teresa Pinkley Congratulations to our August employee of the month, Teresa Pinkley!

“She is a dedicated, hardworking employee who Teresa Pinkley always has a smile on her face and a willingness to help out wherever needed. She is also a rock-star event coordinator— our volunteer banquet is always a big success!” said Anne Allen, marketing and sales director.

Teresa has been the volunteer coordinator at Farmington Presbyterian Manor for 14 years.

ANNUAL VETERANS DAY BREAKFAST & APPRECIATION CEREMONY Monday, November 11

9:30 – 11 a.m.

We appreciate your service. Now, let us serve you.

Join us for our annual Veterans Day breakfast and a pinning ceremony in appreciation of the service of our local veterans. We invite all area veterans, spouses and surviving spouses to enjoy a complimentary breakfast in the Farmington Presbyterian Manor skilled nursing dining room as we honor the men and women of our nation’s Armed Forces, past and present, along with their families.

RSVP to Anne Allen by Friday, November 8 at 573-756-6768 or aallen@pmma.org.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED, SPACE IS LIMITED.

www.facebook.com/farmingtonpresbyterianmanor www.farmingtonpresbyterianmanor.org

500 CAYCE ST. | FARMINGTON, MO 63640

“I love my job! I enjoy feeling that possibly at the end of the day I have made someone’s day better with a smile, or other small gesture. I believe in Farmington Presbyterian Manor’s motto and like that I work in a Christian-based atmosphere,” said Teresa.

She added, “Working as the volunteer coordinator in my community gives me the opportunity to meet many different people from all walks of life. I am proud to represent Presbyterian Manor outside of my work life.”

Teresa and her husband have two sons and three grandchildren. ◆

Farmington Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

1

Resident enjoyed rewarding career in funeral home business Although she started out simply answering the door, resident Mary Vial worked her way up the ladder and was eventually a funeral home director at a time when it was a male-dominated profession.

“I started in 1958. I married into a family that owned a funeral home.

I was married to the mortician.

Eventually, the family opted to sell the home, so I became the manager of it until I got my four children raised. After my children had all graduated from school, I went to Great Falls, Montana (a bigger town) and got a job at the funeral home there to have a change of scenery. It was a wonderful funeral home, and I ended up being the manager of it after about five years,” said Mary.

Being a female in the business didn’t hold her back.

“I had one lady that wanted my boss to wait on her after the death of her husband. I said to her, ‘Why don’t you and I go ahead and try and if you’re not pleased, I’ll get Vern (my husband) for you.’ That was ok, and we ended up being real good friends. And the next time she had a death in the family she called me,” said Mary.

While death was never something to joke about, Mary did find ways to bring a little comic relief to her job.

Mary Vial enjoyed a 30-year career in the funeral home business. See additional photo on page 3.

“I would have a joke with a family if they didn’t have an organist or access to one. I played the organ, so I’d tell them, ‘We have an organist available, she’s not very good but the price is right,’” said Mary.

She retired in 1988 after 30 years in

the business.

“It was a privilege to help people at one of the most difficult times of life.

It made me feel whole. I was honored to be a part of that. And if, in fact, I even helped one person it was worth all my effort,” said Mary. ◆

Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.

FARMINGTON Presbyterian Manor

573-756-6768 ◆ Fax: 573-756-6014 500 Cayce St. Farmington, MO 63640-2910 FarmingtonPresbyterianManor.org

2

COMMUNITY MATTERS | November 2019

Community Matters

is published monthly for residents and friends of Farmington Presbyterian Manor

by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizaton.

To submit or suggest articles: aallen@PMMA.org Jane Hull, executive director Anne Allen, marketing director

OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

Mary Vial’s rewarding career

Not ready to downsize?

Great. Start now.

By Ellen Ryan for Next Avenue

“I had one lady that wanted my boss to wait on her after the death of her husband. I said to her, ‘Why don’t you and I go ahead and try and if you’re not pleased, I’ll get Vern (my husband) for you.’ That was ok, and we ended up being real good friends. And the next time she had a death in the family she called me,” said Mary Vial.

See story on page 2.

Jane and John Doe knew they would trade in their four-bedroom family house someday for a smaller, more manageable home. But the couple put off downsizing until after retirement … then after their youngest’s wedding … then …

Then John had a stroke. Suddenly Jane faced not just the immediate health crisis, but having to move their entire decades-old household into a one-level apartment within three weeks.

“The number one trick to downsizing is starting before you think you need to,” said Mike Gallagher of Smooth Transitions Denver, a downsizing firm.

1. Starting early shows you how much you own and hints at how much is ahead. “People forget what’s in their homes,” says Melanie Gibbons, co-owner of Cull & Tend, a Washington, D.C., home and move management service.

They don’t see what’s hidden, such as under-the-bed boxes, underthe-eaves storage, out-of-season clothing and everything stashed in the attic or cellar.

2. You can avoid working under extreme deadline pressure. By going through my office myself, averaging an hour or two every week, I make my own decisions, save cash that might otherwise go to a home organizer or downsizer and find things I can sell, give away or use in the meantime.

We respect the privacy of residents and ask that you respect their privacy, too.

Posting this?

Check the background.

If your photograph, video or Snap includes residents who are not a relative, don’t post it to social media.

3. You can work on the downsizing while you’re physically up to the job — which also allows more control. ◆ Farmington Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

3

FARMINGTON Presbyterian Manor

500 Cayce St. Farmington, MO 63640-2910 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Our Mission: to provide quality senior services guided

by Christian values Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.

4

COMMUNITY MATTERS | November 2019