Priscilla S.

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We lost a special client last month, Pricilla S. She touched us in ways that we’ll remember for a long time, and we’d like to share her story from a place of deep appreciation and love.

Priscilla and her husband were raised and met in Brooklyn, and moved to Houston, TX over 50 years ago. They were leaders in the Jewish community and cause-related philanthropy wherever they lived. Pricilla’s husband died very young at age 70 and Priscilla continued with their philanthropic activities. After developing Parkinson’s Disease herself, she became a major organizer for and donor to the local Parkinson’s Foundation efforts.

As Parkinson’s began to impact on Priscilla’s daily routines, she found herself missing her husband and her family. Her son and daughter-in-law in Mamaroneck encouraged her to relocate where the family could provide closer attention and care for her and most importantly, where she could enjoy watching her grandchildren grow up. With the move, she was a short bike ride away for her local grandchilren, who came to visit her often and to share plans for their upcoming Bar-Mitzvah.

It was in mid-2019 that we first met Priscilla and her beautiful family when she moved into the same senior living facility in nearby Rye, NY where Glenn’s mom resided for over 5 years. While WFC wasn’t initially selected for caregiving services, Glenn was very happy to receive a follow up call from her son a short time after her move to reconsider WFC. It was even more poignant to receive the call from Priscilla’s son while literally driving away from a final meeting with a longtime client moving out of the area to be with her family In the Midwest.

Even with her new proximity to her family, Priscilla was having difficulty assimilating at the facility and experiencing severe pangs of isolation even before COVID. Priscilla’s son actively advocated for her with WFC to match her with caregivers most suitable to her needs especially for engagement and companionship. While she was totally sharp and engaging as always mentally, her feelings of isolation weighed heavily, and her Parkinson’s was becoming more pronounced.

After beginning service for Priscilla with caregivers to her liking, we discovered what made her so special. We all had a lot of contact with her. Priscilla was as interested in us as she, herself, was such an interesting and vibrant woman. She kept up her philanthropies with The Parkinson’s Foundation and lived her life fully every day.

“Priscilla was so on the ball and engaging; her family connection was a such a beautiful thing to see; She was very philanthropic and involved in her community. She just had it all together.”
Glenn Lane, Founder/CEO

“She was so wonderful and kind. The caregivers adored her. I sent her flowers and visited her on her birthday and I was always trying to come up with ideas to help her with the isolation.”
Catherine Lanza, Director of Business Development

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A  particularly joyful moment for Priscilla was the day of her grandsons’ Bar-Mitzvahs. For the Jewish people, and especially for Jewish grandmothers, the Bar- or Bat-Mitzvah is as important as walking their child down the wedding aisle or celebrating the birth of grandchildren. Priscilla prepared for the event with her usually good-heartedness and making sure everything was planned correctly. Hair and makeup – check;  gorgeous party outfit – check;  transportation to and from the synagogue and party venue – well, that’s where WFC came in when we arranged and gifted transport for the big event which Priscilla very much appreciated.

The Bar-Mitvahs were a welcome and rare respite during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  It was hearbreaking to see Priscilla who was already battling her Illness and trying to assimilate In a new setting further Isolated with the requirement to remain In her room.  The effect of her needing to social distance from her world and her loved ones by remaining locked down in her room was demoralizing and the emotional toll taken by the pandemic’s restrictions were devastating for someone of Priscilla’s character and lively spirit.

And so it was with great sadness and a feeling of absence and loss, when we learned we had lost Priscilla. Our business’s clinical focus tries to keep us clear-eyed when clients pass away but this one stopped us in our tracks.  Ever the one to right the ship, Catherine Lanza commented: “We brought her great happiness. And she gave it back to us.”

Farewell, Pricilla S. You’ve reminded us why we got into this business and have left an indelible mark. You’ll live on in our hearts.

Westchester Family Care Inc. assists people of all ages, by customizing home care plans to maintain healthy quality of life and safety at home.

Contact WFC for an immediate family need or when planning for future needs: info@westfamilycare.com, 914-764-7500, www.westchesterfamilycare.com.

Westchester Family Care Provides Peace of Mind and Confidence that the Elderly Are Safe and Living with Dignity in Their Own Home.