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Senior meals
packaging, "we are the first"
Enhanced
Elder Intervention: Mom has moved
beyond eccentric
From the Director
Tom Kelly Awards Finalist:
Interview with Francesca Byrne
Tom Kelly Award
Finalist: Interview with Edna Sunskis
Elder Services' new staff
New Planner at Elder Services - Jeanne B. Siegel
Tom Kelly Awards Finalist: Interview with Francesca Byrne
by Dorinda Gamberdella, Ombudsman Program Director
Francesca Byrne, a certified ombudsman since 1991, moved to the Berkshires from Astoria, New York, after marrying a Lenox native in 1941, who she had met at the World’s Fair.
Byrne immediately loved the small community of Lenox. She could walk everywhere in town and found the neighbors and residents to be friendly and welcoming. In addition, the local cultural events were world class.
Francesca Byrne is assigned to an 88 bed facility where all the residents know her by name. According to her nominator, "she visits every resident, inquires about their health, family support, issues with which she may be able to help, and she will rearrange her visits to see people as needed. She leaves residents and family members feeling good. She is a kind, considerate supportive woman. I highly recommend her as one of the most special women I have ever met."
ES: Tell us some of the things you find rewarding as a volunteer.
FB: I really like people and enjoy talking to them. I think some of them are lonely in
the nursing home. It makes me feel good if it helps someone there to visit each week. It is especially rewarding if they have an issue that we work together to resolve.
ES: What are some of the challenges you face as a volunteer?
FB: I really don’t find any challenges if you mean negative challenges. I enjoy my visits, look forward to going every week, and when there are issues, the nursing home usually works with me to solve them. There was a smoking issue once that was a bit difficult, but the facility has now built an enclosed outdoors area that has solved the residents’ concerns.
ES: We really appreciate your work as a volunteer for Elder Services. What other interests do you have?
FB: I was a secretary at GE for many years. I spent 25 years in the main plant and seven years in ordinance. When I retired, I got involved with ceramics and enjoy that very much. I also love to read and to go to the movies. I get up every morning and go to the health club to use the treadmill. I enjoy going on trips and out to lunch. I just recently took a day trip to Proctor’s Theater to see the Vienna Boys Choir. They sounded like I imagine angels would sound. It was really wonderful.
ES: Would you be willing to share some little known fact about yourself with our readers?
FB: I have been going to the Lenox Community Center since 1985. This is where I do my ceramics. I specialize in Santa Clauses. I have them from all different countries and in all different shapes, sizes and colors. I even have one painted with blue clothing that my daughter and I call the Bishop. At Christmas time, my daughter’s house is full of my Santas. She has one tree full of snow babies that I also made for her.
ES: Out of the four seasons here in the Berkshires, which one do you enjoy the most?
FB: I think Spring is my favorite season. Everything begins to come alive again in the spring. I don’t really enjoy winter. There is always the worry of driving in snow and ice. Maybe I enjoy spring so much because it means the end of winter.
ES: We are so grateful to you and volunteers like you who help us meet the needs of Berkshire County Elders. What are you grateful for in your life?
FB: The two most important things to me in life are family and health. I am very grateful that I have both of these.