Congratulations to Gloria Cruz for being chosen Employee of the Month.  Gloria started working at Maryville in 1994.  She is the housekeeper on HKC Unit.

Gloria is dependable, hard working, and well liked by staff, co-workers, and family members.  Gloria does not limit herself to doing only what her job entails, she also listens to what the residents need.  She responds to resident alarms, and has a keen eye for spotting what needs to be repaired and reporting it so it can be taken care of.  Gloria is part of the driving force that makes HKC Unit look and feel like home.  She truly deserves this honor!  Thank you Gloria, for your “Service with Love”.

We would like to let you know about a beloved member of our campus family who lost her battle with cancer—a battle, her husband says, that she never intended to lose. You may recall in September, we told you about Shelley Espey ’86 who was seeking support for her recent cancer diagnosis. Shelley died January 31, surrounded by her family.

She was an ’86 graduate, a current Valley Catholic parent (Katrina ’12), and a parent of two alumnae (Adala in ’98 and Nichole in ’09). Shelley had also worked at the SSMO Convent for several years prior to joining SSMO Ministries Corp. in the Finance Dept., where she has worked since 2004. Her most recent position had her stationed in the accounting department at Maryville Nursing Home.

On the same day she died, Shelley’s husband, Dave, wrote a note to her many friends. Below are some excerpts from his letter to them.

Today at 3:05  a.m. we lost one of the kindest people I have ever had the privilege to know. She is my best friend, best mother I have ever seen and loyal friend of all who allowed her to be. She took in all who wanted a mother and loved them like her own. I want to thank all of you who have been praying in earnest for her to be healed. The outcome was not what I wanted but I give God all the praise and glory knowing with total confidence she is now healed and made new in her new home with the Lord.

Plans for memorial services are still pending. When arrangements are made, they will be posted in the News & Events area of www.valleycatholic.org, www.maryvillenh.org, www.ssmo.org and www.ssmofoundation.org. Letters of condolence are being collected at the reception desk at Maryville Nursing Home. Please keep the Espey family in your thoughts and prayers.

Congratulations to Kristie Wagoner for being selected Employee of the Month for January 2012.  Kristie began working at Maryville in August of 2004.  She worked in HKC (Nursing Home Memory Care Unit) until recently when she moved to the new RCF Memory Care Unit.  Kristie has been an invaluable asset to Maryville.  She is well liked by the residents, families, and her co-workers.  She has a caring and gentle manner, which is very much appreciated by all.  Thank You Kristie for your “Service with Love”.

Congratulations to Aster Gebregziabher who was selected as Employee of the Month for December 2011.  Aster has worked at Maryville since January 2009.  Aster has an excellent work ethic and cares very much for the residents.  She never complains and is always one step ahead of the nurses when answering call lights and helping out whoever needs assistance.  Aster is cheerful, compassionate,  and a very hard worker.  We are so glad she is one of our team.  Thank you Aster for your “Service with Love”.

You are cordially invited to the Maryville Family Holiday Open House, being held in the main lounge from 2-4pm on Sunday, December 11th.  Please join us for refreshments, music, and good cheer. 

Maryville’s annual Christmas Bazaar will be held on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10am – 4pm in the Activity Center.  Come by to shop for special gifts, many of which are made by Maryville residents.  There will be special homemade goodies and door prizes.  Free coffee and cookies are available.  For more information, please contact Hilee Jackson at (503) 718-5316 or hjackson@ssmoministries.org

Congratulations to Mahlet Argaw for being selected as Employee of the Month for November 2011.  Mahlet was hired in May 2011.  She usually works on West Unit, but fills in on other units as needed.  She is willing to work wherever there is a need and without any complaints.  The residents and their families enjoy her very much and she is loved by all.  She is always willing to help her co-workers when they need help as well.  Currently she is living with her parents and learning English as a second language.  She has been in the United States only a short time.  She always has a smile on her face and she is very shy and quiet.  Thank you Mahlet for your “Service with Love”!

Congratulations to Angie Hernandez for being selected as Employee of the Month for October 2011.
Angie started here at Maryville as a dishwasher in May of 2008. During the last 3 years, she has trained in many positions in the kitchen. Her most recent adventure has been to learn to become a “Dietary Cook”. This is a very challenging position and Angie is doing a great job! Angie is a quiet, kind and hardworking person. She gets along well with everyone and is always willing to help others. She is dependable, never missing a day of work. She has covered open shifts many times. Angie is respected by her teammates and is most deserving of the award of Employee of the Month.

Thank you Angie for all that you do!

The dedication for Maryville’s new facility, Maryville Memory Care, took place on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 3:30 p.m. Guests were treated to appetizers and received the first tours of the facility. 

Formerly home to a few of the Sisters, the building has been completely remodeled and is light, open and welcoming.  Each of the 16 resident rooms has a private bathroom and a garden view.  On the hallway walls, which are painted a warm, cheerful yellow, clusters of retro photographs and art form a collage of modern history. 

All the rooms form a square that surrounds a beautifully landscaped courtyard and garden.  The family/dining room has vaulted ceilings with exposed wooden beams, a fireplace, a large but homey kitchen, and lots of comfortable seating.  The whole building is tastefully decorated and furnished to feel like home.

The formal dedication ceremony was led by SSMO Superior General Sr. Charlene Herinckx, who made these inspired remarks: 

On behalf of all the SSMOs, I welcome you to this special gathering for the blessing and dedication of Maryville Memory Care. 

First on the list of thank yous are Sr. Barbara Jean Laughlin and the members of the Leadership Team of the last administration of our Community.  They could see the wisdom of using this facility for this good purpose.

Second on the list of thank yous are the three Sisters (Rita Rose, Elizabeth Sohler and Janet) who were living here at the time the decision was made.  It could not have been easy for them to leave this environment and yet they did so most graciously—continuing the legacy of “no sacrifice too great— no task too difficult.”  Their presence at the motherhouse has been a great blessing for us who happily welcomed them home.

Thirdly, we thank the Maryville Board of Directors, Sr. Adele Marie Altenhofen, President of the SSMO Ministries Corporation, and Kathleen Parry, Maryville Administrator, for their direction, guidance and support of this project. 

When we were planning this service and searching for a Scripture passage to use, I could not help but think of the reading about Moses and the Ten Commandments in which we read “Honor your father and your mother.”  What better way, when the need arises, than to offer them the services of this facility and the staff here at Maryville!

Speaking of the staff, I want to close by quoting from the welcome address at the opening of Maryville Nursing Home in 1963:  You have come to minister to the sick, afflicted and incapacitated. This requires great tact, patience and understanding. For many of our guests, the Home is a new experience. They will, therefore, require your love, attention and affection. With Christ as your model, you will be able, like Him, to serve cheerfully, willingly, kindly and helpfully at all times. 

And now almost 50 years later, we find ourselves with a legacy of “service with love” that will continue in a new way in this beautifully renovated facility.  May God bless all who live here and all who serve here.

The music for the dedication was led by Sr. Adele Marie Altenhofen and Sr. Juanita Villareal and the presider was Father Neil Moore, who blessed every room with Holy Water.  Maryville Administrator Kathleen also spoke, thanking the many people who had come together to make the Memory Care Center a reality: Howard S. Wright, General Contractor; Ankrom Moisan Architects; Inside Design, interior decorating; and Marathon Development, Project Manager.  She also introduced and thanked several key staff members: Michael Kilbury, MMC Administrator and Maryville Administrator in Training; Delores Focht, Director of Nursing; Candice Roberts, R.N. Manager; and Sr. Josephine Pelster, Director of Pastoral Care.

To commemorate the SSMOs 125th Anniversary year, we are advertising on OPB Radio.  Take a listen!

SSMO 125th Jubilee Year – Valley Catholic & Maryville >

Valley Catholic School – A PreK-12 Community >

Opening Maryville Memory Care >

Celebrating its New & Sustainable Building >