Staff/Resident Spotlights

Pat is relatively new to Decatur House, but already fits in like a longtime member of the family. Friendly and outgoing, she is quick to laugh, sing or strike up a conversation. Born in Salem, Pat recalls her childhood as a very happy time. “We didn’t have much money, but we didn’t know it,” she […]

Among the welcome additions to Decatur House are resident Jane Martell and her 12-year-old cat, Harry. A retired teacher with an irrepressible sense of wanderlust, Jane has visited every state in the union, and has trekked many miles on her numerous European walking tours. “An advantage of being a school teacher is you have summers […]

CNA Amy is a Decatur House gem. Arriving for an interview about five years ago, she was amazed that owners Linda and Steve Austin had black- and fawn-colored pugs, Lulu and Woody as Amy, too, had black- and fawn-colored pugs! “You have to hire me!,” she remembers saying. Once hired, her feeling was “I’m home!” […]

Ashley has been with Decatur House for about four years. It turns out, she’s basically family: her godmother was owner Linda Austin’s neighbor! When Ashley decided to get some experience while pursuing her nursing education, her godmother said “I know the perfect job for you” …and the rest, as they say, is history. Prior to […]

As a Case Manager with the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of Cape Cod, Heidi Fratantonio has dedicated her life to a very special calling: providing end-of-life care to patients in their home. “People need to be in their home, surrounded by the people and things they love,” she said. For more than 10 years, Heidi […]

Since joining our resident care staff 12 years ago, Elaine Norton has made her presence known in many ways. Not least of which is her sense of humor, and her very distinctive—and highly infectious—laugh. When it shatters the solemn mood of a serious bingo game, players exchange knowing smiles, laugh, and say, “Elaine’s here!” Elaine […]