Lucy Giammarco presented wth Jeanne Jugan Award at recognition dinner

The evening of Thursday, October 27 our employees and their families joined us for our 28^th annual Employee Recognition Dinner-Dance. This annual event is a small way for us to say ‘thank you’ to our employees, truly “extensions of our hands” and those of St. Jeanne Jugan in the service of the Residents. The dinner was held in the auditorium, brightly decorated with strings of lights, and animated by our favorite disc jockey, who always plays music that keeps the staff tapping their toes. At the end of the dinner, deliciously prepared by our kitchen staff and served by the Little Sisters, Mother Provincial Margaret Regina and Mother Celine Therese presented this year’s Jeanne Jugan Award to Lucy Giammarco. Lucy was nominated by her peers for the award, presented to the staff member who best exemplifies the spirit of St. Jeanne Jugan. As laundry supervisor Lucy strives to meet the needs of the Residents with kindness and great generosity. She goes out of her way to make sure that each one has what he or she needs and that their clothes are kept in good condition. She also welcomes several Residents who volunteer daily in the laundry, working side by side with them to fold the linens and clothes. Lucy has worked for the Little Sisters for a total of 34 years, both at Queen of Peace and for a time in Naples, Italy.

After the Jeanne Jugan Award Mother Provincial and Mother Celine presented gifts to the four staff members who are retiring this year, each one having more than 20 years of service to the home! They will be missed. Another gift was presented in memory of Marie Benoit, a long-time nurse’s assistant who passed away this year after a long illness. Service pins were awarded to employees having a total of 5, 10, 15, 25, 35, 40 and even 45 years of service (Marie Soto, who works with great charity in the housekeeping department). There to receive her 25-year service pin was employee Kathleen Lewis, our receptionist who has been heroically recovering from a major stroke. Kathleen came to the dinner with her son and daughter, who have been helping and caring for their mother in her recovery.

Congratulations to Lucy and to all of our dedicated staff, who bring joy and friendship to the Residents and enrich the family spirit of the home, each one in his or her own way.  What would we do without them?

Photo: 2011 Jeanne Jugan Award winner Lucy Giammarco with (l to r) Mother Celine and Mother Provincial Margaret Regina