Wesley Village in Shelton celebrates birthdays of 2 centenarians

Larry Meehan

Norma-Jean Moore

SHELTON - Wesley Village Senior Living Campus recently celebrated birthday milestones for two centenarians, Larry Meehan and Norma-Jean Moore, both residents of Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community. 

Family members, friends, and Crosby team members gathered throughout February to send happy birthday wishes to these special individuals.

 

Meehan, who served as a firefighter for several years in Bridgeport, was surprised with a parade of local fire trucks, lights flashing and sirens blaring, driving by the community’s front entrance for the occasion. 

With the help of Lisa Bisson, Director of Community Outreach for the campus, Meehan also received a birthday visit from several members of the Bridgeport Area Retired Firefighters Association, who presented him with a special plaque in honor of his service to the community and his 100^th birthday milestone.

 

Moore is well known as Crosby Commons’ “artist-in-residence." 

Many of her paintings are displayed outside her apartment and several were showcased in the community’s weekly activities calendar in honor of her birthday. 

She enjoyed visits with family and friends, flowers, balloons in all her favorite colors, and a birthday cake detailed with songbirds. A lover of sparkles and all things jeweled, Moore was also presented with a rhinestone tiara adorned with the number 100, which she wore throughout the day.

 

“One hundredth birthday milestones are some of the most special moments we share together as a community here at Crosby Commons,” said Activities Director, Lauren Donovan. “The opportunity to celebrate everything a resident has accomplished, and the uniqueness of their life is just as meaningful for the residents and their families as it is for our team.”

 

About Wesley Village: Wesley Village senior living campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. in Shelton and is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 

The Wesley Village campus offers independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support, skilled nursing and short-term rehab. 

To learn more about Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, Lifestyle Transitions, or Bishop Wicke Health Center, visit our website or contact us at 203.225.5024. 

To become part of the Wesley Village team, visit our website at: https://www.umh.org/career-opportunities-at-umh.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

 

Residents of Wesley Village in Shelton celebrate their 100th birthdays

Congratulations and best wishes to the centenarians!

Pictured from left: Anna Curry, Bill Jakupkovic, and Milton Kundert./ Contributed photo

SHELTON - In December, three residents of Wesley Village celebrated their 100^th birthdays in the company of friends, family members, and staff. 

Birthday festivities were organized by Wesley Heights Activities Director, Linda Fera, who plans a special celebration each time a resident turns 100. 
The most recent celebration honored residents Anna Curry, Bill Jakupkovic, and Milton Kundert.

Anna Curry

Anna Curry was born in Shelton in 1919 as one of seven children and went on to raise three children and now enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchild. 
She lived in Stratford for many years and worked at the Warnaco Co. Anna was an avid gardener. 
After retirement, she volunteered at Bridgeport Hospital and Rehab Center offering gardening therapy for stroke patients. She also enjoyed singing in the church choir at Our Lady of Grace in Stratford, knitting and crocheting, and she was an excellent seamstress. 

Bill Jakupkovic

Bill Jakupkovic, a World War II Army Air Force veteran, was a Bridgeport resident before moving to Shelton. He worked in a machine shop for most of his life, but always made time to nurture one of his favorite hobbies, golf. Bill, along with his brother, worked as caddies at Beardsley Golf Club and Bill went on to play golf his whole life. He enjoyed traveling, spending time with his wife and daughter. He continues to enjoy watching UConn Women’s Basketball and cheering on the New England Patriots.  

Milton Kundert

Milton worked for 34 years as a mailman. He took on extra work on the night shift at the Ritz Ballroom as a ticket taker and had the opportunity to enjoy all the big bands that visited the ballroom during its heyday. Milton also worked some evening shifts pumping gas. He always worked hard to support his family. He is a religious person but doesn’t credit this or his work ethic for his longevity. He says life “just went along,” and he has been “blessed with good health.”

Fera said, “Over the years, we’ve had many residents living to 100 or beyond. We often joke that it’s all the good living at Wesley. But all joking aside, we are witnesses to the many ways community living benefits older adults on a daily basis. Our next celebration will honor a new resident turning 101 at the end of March.”

Fera makes time to help collect life stories for many residents. “It always surprises me each time a new nugget of information is shared," she said. "Centenarians in particular have a lot of history to share, and their collections and perspectives are both interesting and enlightening.”

Wesley Heights Executive Director Ben Schiano agrees with Fera. 
“Celebrating 100th birthday milestones with our residents is one of the best parts of my job. I love it! These celebrations inspire the entire community to embrace a more positive outlook on aging.”

Wesley Village

The Wesley Village Senior Living campus at 580 Long Hill Ave. is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 
The Wesley Village campus offers assisted and independent living, memory support, skilled nursing, short-term rehab, and outpatient therapy and fitness services. 
To learn more, visit www.umh.org/wesley-village.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Newsletter features Ansonia centenarian, thoughts on toll proposal, more

Dear readers,

Today's Valley Voice newsletter features an amazing Ansonia resident who was celebrated Friday on her 100th birthday, Ralph's analysis of proposed state tolls, and more.

Thanks for reading,

Patti

100 and going strong in Ansonia

On Friday I had the pleasure of meeting Ansonia resident Marija Marciniak who celebrated her 100th birthday at the Joseph A. Doyle Senior Center in Ansonia. 
She is an amazing centenarian!  

Stay tuned for a story and photos in the next issue of The Valley Voice newsletter.

Luncheon at Wesley Heights in Shelton recognizes centenarians

Centenarians celebrated at Wesley Heights in Shelton./Contributed photo

SHELTON - Wesley Village staff, residents, and guests gathered at Wesley Heights Assisted Living Community to celebrate the birthdays of six centenarians with a special luncheon June 22. 

The event recognized five Wesley Heights residents who had or would be celebrating 100 years or more during 2016. 

Residents who were honored included: Helen Hagner (102), Isabel Roberts (102), Edna Flanagan (100), Susan Perkins (100), and John Girolamo (100). 

Also honored at the event was former Wesley Heights resident, Minnie Sutton, who celebrated her 106th birthday in May.

Sutton now resides at Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center, which is also located on the Wesley Village senior living campus, along with Wesley Heights.

The event, organized by Wesley Heights Activities Director Linda Fera and Resident Services Coordinator Donna Brice, included special guest speakers Chaplain Cathy Nickse, Coordinator of Spiritual Care for Wesley Village; David Lawlor, President and CEO of United Methodist Homes; and  Mayor Mark Lauretti. 

Proclamations were issued to each centenarian and hand-delivered by Lauretti who posed for a photo with each honored resident. 

Lawlor shared words of wisdom from each of the centenarians and thanked them for their influence. “For all of the wisdom you bestow upon us and the way you support your fellow residents and our staff, we thank you very much for being part of Wesley Village. Happy Birthday!”

Wesley Village is a campus of senior living and care communities including Crosby Commons Independent/Assisted Living Community, Wesley Heights Independent/Assisted Living Apartments and Cottages, Lifestyle Transitions Assisted Living & Memory Care, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

The campus, located at 580 Long Hill Ave., is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local, mission-based, not-for-profit organization serving all members of the community. 

To learn more about the continuum of care offered at Wesley Village or the mission of UMH, please visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.  

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Luncheon at Wesley Heights in Shelton recognizes centenarians

Centenarians celebrated at Wesley Heights in Shelton./Contributed photo

SHELTON - Wesley Village staff, residents, and guests gathered at Wesley Heights Assisted Living Community to celebrate the birthdays of six centenarians with a special luncheon June 22. 

The event recognized five Wesley Heights residents who had or would be celebrating 100 years or more during 2016. 

Residents who were honored included: Helen Hagner (102), Isabel Roberts (102), Edna Flanagan (100), Susan Perkins (100), and John Girolamo (100). 

Also honored at the event was former Wesley Heights resident, Minnie Sutton, who celebrated her 106th birthday in May.

Sutton now resides at Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center, which is also located on the Wesley Village senior living campus, along with Wesley Heights.

The event, organized by Wesley Heights Activities Director Linda Fera and Resident Services Coordinator Donna Brice, included special guest speakers Chaplain Cathy Nickse, Coordinator of Spiritual Care for Wesley Village; David Lawlor, President and CEO of United Methodist Homes; and  Mayor Mark Lauretti. 

Proclamations were issued to each centenarian and hand-delivered by Lauretti who posed for a photo with each honored resident. 

Lawlor shared words of wisdom from each of the centenarians and thanked them for their influence. “For all of the wisdom you bestow upon us and the way you support your fellow residents and our staff, we thank you very much for being part of Wesley Village. Happy Birthday!”

Wesley Village is a campus of senior living and care communities including Crosby Commons Independent/Assisted Living Community, Wesley Heights Independent/Assisted Living Apartments and Cottages, Lifestyle Transitions Assisted Living & Memory Care, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

The campus, located at 580 Long Hill Ave., is owned and operated by United Methodist Homes, a local, mission-based, not-for-profit organization serving all members of the community. 

To learn more about the continuum of care offered at Wesley Village or the mission of UMH, please visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org.  

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Centenarians feted at Wesley Village in Shelton

Wesley Village residents gather for a special birthday party to honor several centenarians who celebrated their birthdays during the month of May.

SHELTON - Wesley Village, a campus of senior care communities, recently honored several centenarians at their assisted and independent living communities. 
Wesley Heights residents gathered for their monthly birthday party May 11,  honoring those born during the month of May. 
The month’s festivities included resident Minnie Sutton, who will celebrate her 105^th birthday on Wednesday. 
Along with Minnie were four other residents at Wesley Heights who celebrated 100 years or more! 
Residents enjoyed birthday cupcakes and punch provided by the Wesley Heights Dining Services team, as well as dancing and entertainment by Larry and Doreen Crasilli.

Crosby Commons resident Marion Prescott also celebrated her 100^th birthday in February. 
As part of her birthday wish, she and her friends at Crosby Commons worked together to create over 35 gifts bags for families in need. 
With the help of Activities Director Mary Ann Milano Prescott and her fellow residents recently donated the gifts to BHcare, a community health-care provider serving the lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven, and Shoreline communities. http://bhcare.org/

Wesley Heights and Crosby Commons are located on the Wesley Village Campus at 580 Long Hill Ave. and offer award-winning independent and assisted living, as well as a new memory care neighborhood, Lifestyle Transitions at Wesley Heights. 

For more information about senior living at Wesley Village, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or contact Lisa, 203-225-5024.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.