THE HOLIDAY SEASON is steeped in traditions—from trimming the tree and lighting our homes to gift-giving, baking, caroling, and feasting—and every family puts its own special twist on these customs.
Kingston Residence of Perrysburg, an assisted-living community located at 333 E. Boundary St., has a unique approach to the holidays as well. Of course, festive décor adorns the interior, fun holiday-themed activities are enjoyed, and special meals are served at Kingston, but as far as the residents and staff are concerned, family and friends and the love and support they share with one another are the true focus of the season.
Perhaps the residents themselves put it best as they share what the holidays mean to them and reminisce about Christmases past: “For me, Christmas is about Christ, family, and friends,” states Mary Lou Wilhelm, a Kingston Residence of Perrysburg resident since May of 2021. “Decorating the tree is a wonderful tradition, and it’s always nice to exchange gifts, but we should keep in mind that the birth of Jesus is what we’re actually celebrating. Christmas is also about being grateful for family and friends—and here everyone is family. We’ve all come to love each other.”
Wilhelm looks back fondly on a Christmas tradition from her childhood: “When we were kids, my dad and uncle both lived in Toledo, and every Christmas Eve, all the kids had to be in bed by 10:00 so Santa could come. Then, they’d wake us all up at midnight and we’d head over to my uncle’s house to celebrate Christmas,” she recalls.
Joann Veller, a Kingston resident since 2017, shares Wilhelm’s appreciation of family during the holiday season, noting that her favorite tradition is going to her son’s home at Christmastime for a family get-together. “The best part of the Christmas season for me is being together with family to have a nice dinner and exchange gifts. I especially enjoy watching the little children open their presents,” she remarks.
Coming from a farming background, Kathleen Bell, who moved to Kingston in July of 2021, recalls that taking part in family Christmas celebrations required getting a very early start in the morning. “We had Christmas at home, and then my husband would get up and do chores. After that, we went to see his family. We had to be there by 7:00 a.m. Then we would go to see my family and had to be there by noon. I liked getting up early and watching the kids open their gifts. I remember that my youngest daughter really loved the ornaments on the tree and would just stare at them,” she says.
Looking back on the Christmases of her own childhood, Bell recalls going to her grandmother’s house to celebrate. “We didn’t have much money, so my grandma decorated a stepladder instead of a tree. I also remember that my mom really loved Christmas and would put silly gifts in socks for us. Of course, we always went to church on Christmas, as well,” she states.
For John Searle, a 10-year resident of Kingston, childhood Christmases always meant a visit to Johnstown, Pennsylvania—where his grandparents lived and his parents got married. “My mom had three siblings and they were all married with kids. At Christmas, the kids got all kinds of toys. Nowadays, Christmas for me is more focused on the grandkids and great-grandkids,” he says.
One of Searle’s most poignant memories is of the 2012 holiday season, when he and his wife, who passed away eight years ago, decided to spend one more Christmas together in their family home before moving to Kingston.
He also shares his admiration and appreciation for the caring and patient Kingston staff members who are required to work on Christmas Day. “It takes a special breed of person to put up with old people like us,” he says.
For her part, Amanda Burrow, the Activities Director at Kingston Residence of Perrysburg, who has worked at the facility in various capacities for 25 years, loves being with the residents over the holidays and helping to make the season special for them, for example by putting up and decorating Christmas trees around the facility, as well as introducing a different holiday theme each week, such as Grinch Week or Frosty Week. Above all, she wants the residents to know that she considers them part of her family. “We’re all family here at Kingston,” she says. “I don’t have grandparents of my own, so these people are my grandparents. I’m honored to be here with them on Christmas Day and every day.”
Mail a smile to a Kingston senior resident
Kingston Healthcare invites the community to spread holiday cheer by sending festive store-bought or homemade greeting cards to their senior residents, many of whom may not able to see their family or friends this holiday season.
To participate, simply address the card to “Any Resident” and then include the address of either our Perrysburg or Sylvania location (333 E. Boundary St, Perrysburg, OH 43551 or 4125 King Rd, Sylvania, OH 43560). Stamped envelopes can then be mailed and will be distributed to residents by the Kingston Residence of Perrysburg and Sylvania facilities. For more information, please contact Jordan Tomase at 419-360-9464 or jtomase@kingstonhealthcare.com.
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