Staff/Resident Spotlights

On January 27th handmade items created by a cohort of residents, members of our staff, and some family members were put on display in the dining room. Exhibits included illustrations, paintings, shadow boxes, knitted items, needlework, quilts, photography, jewelry, glass and shell art, and pottery. It was fun to see and learn about everyone’s amazing […]

Decatur House resident Al Haven (pictured, with his wife Jane) was the oldest of three siblings, and raised in Albany, NY. After graduating high school, he enrolled in Amherst College and later transferred to Williams College on the GI Bill. He graduated from Williams as a naval officer. During World War II, Al served on […]

Decatur House resident Lourana Thomas was born and raised in Deerfield, MA. Her parents were both accomplished musicians and Lourana followed in their footsteps, going on to earn a bachelor’s in music education from Oberlin College and then taking graduate classes in music therapy. This training and education led to a 40-year career teaching music, […]

We recently had the chance to sit with resident Phyllis Dana to learn some of her life story. Born on September 26, 1928 in Boston Phyllis had one sister. She was married to her husband Charles for more than 35 years and they raised their family in the Boston area. Phyllis graduated from New England […]

Decatur House resident Terry Coronella was born in Belgium in 1925. An only child, Terry was only 11 when she lost her mother. She quickly learned to shop, cook, clean and fend for herself and her father. As a teen Terry witnessed the devastation created by the Nazi occupation of Belgium. Stealing potatoes from the […]

Norma moved from a residence in Falmouth to Decatur House in August so she could be closer to her daughter who lives nearby. Norma—and her cat Gloria—are reportedly enjoying getting to know their new home and meeting new friends. Born in 1932, in Gardner, MA, Norma was one of three sisters who grew up during […]