Stories and reflections from the women of PPH

At PPH, there are many residents who have lived impactful lives. Each person has a story different from the other, but their paths all crossed when they moved into PPH.

The passions and joy of our women residents are on full display this March, as we once again celebrate Women’s History Month with special presentations from nine women residents.

We kicked off the month on Monday, March 3 with three presentations. Presentations include life stories, experiences, hobbies, memories, reflections, advice and more. 

Gateway Manor resident Pat Morrissy led off and spoke about the years she spent canning and preserving jars of food, which she learned from living in an Amish and Mennonite community.

From apple sauces, jellies, honey, tea, onions (freshly-stored in pantyhose) and more, she found great satisfaction and enjoyment in providing healthy options that didn’t consist of dyes and preservatives for her family — even though her sons were not fans of her ketchup.

Three of Pat’s favorites were rosemary, garlic and lavender jelly, which all made for a tasty spread on a bagel!

Canning and preserving food were a lot of work while raising children and working full-time, but Pat found it to be satisfying.

“It was exhausting at times, but it was very fulfilling to feed my family from what I grew. And I had my sons to help me,” she said. “I enjoyed it.”

 

Alpha Manor resident Merle Wilson spoke about her life, much of what was spent in the Frankford neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia prior to moving to PPH. She talked about her childhood days of hopscotch and hula hooping, spending 10 cents at the movie theater, one penny at the candy store, and finally meeting more people from the neighborhood when she was old enough to cross the street!

After graduating from Frankford High School, Merle married, had kids, and worked at a bank and later an insurance agency. She retired early but later took a job as a cafeteria cashier at Cheltenham High School. Her two daughters convinced her to move to PPH and she adds that her daughters have been a big help to her.

“My two daughters — now my two mothers,” she laughed.

Merle ended her presentation with “My Favorite Things – Senior Version,” a parody of “My Favorite Things” from “The Sound of Music.”

“When the joints ache, when the hips break,

When the eyes grow dim,

Then I remember the great life I’ve had,

And then I don’t feel so bad.”

 

Lawndale Manor resident Patricia Coyne presented on her family’s background as well as her many years of service and volunteerism across Philadelphia.

She told the story of how her parents met: Patricia’s mother, a mathematician who worked at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., met her father while he on leave from the Army. Where did they meet? When she tripped him while coming down the aisle off a train in her mother’s hometown of Newton Hamilton (Central Pa.). Love at first sight!

Patricia, like Merle, grew up in Frankford and also attended Frankford High School. She graduated first in her class of 500 and even received a letter from Betty Crocker after winning a Homemaker of Tomorrow” award!

Patricia has been a member of the Flag House Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for more than 40 years. One of her proudest accomplishments is the annual Children’s Citizenship ceremonies she’s initiated and coordinated: 13 people from 13 different countries are naturalized as American citizens.

She is active with the Philadelphia Interfaith Walk for Peace and Reconciliation; the Citizens Advisory Council for Probation and Parole in Philadelphia; Temple University’s Dialogue Institute; Philadelphia Flag Day Association; and has coordinated and assisted with various Philadelphia Police and community initiatives.

 

There will be two additional programs later this month. Be sure to visit this page or our Facebook page to learn about more of the Women of PPH!