Remembering Lizzie
A beloved member of our
Adult Day Center family
Lizzie brought joy, laughter, and light to Catholic Charities Adult Day Center for more than a decade. In July 2025, we said goodbye to our dear friend, who passed away at 102 years and 3 months young. While we mourn her loss, we celebrate the extraordinary life she lived and the unforgettable mark she left on our hearts.
Born with physical limitations, Lizzie lived in group settings for most of her adult life. She first came to Catholic Charities Adult Day Center (ADC) in 2012, after another day program could no longer meet her increasing care needs. It wasn’t her first visit. She had stayed with us briefly years earlier, and we were thrilled to welcome her back. We had already fallen in love with her spunky personality and joyful spirit.
For more than 11 years, Lizzie attended our center three days a week, with remarkable consistency. She brought with her an unmistakable zest for life. She loved spending time with her friends, playing games, singing along to music and enjoying her favorite things — cats, the color blue and a nice cup of tea. Even though she used a wheelchair, Lizzie was fiercely independent. She insisted on doing as much for herself as possible, right up until the very end.
Lizzie’s presence filled every room with energy and warmth. “She lit up whenever someone walked in,” says Annette, Director of Adult Day Services. “We’ll all miss her laugh, her singing, her spunk, that cute little wave and dance … and especially how she’d call everyone a ‘cheater’ when playing Farkle!”
Having outlived all of her biological family, Lizzie found a new one at the Adult Day Center. As Annette once shared, “Just because you don’t have any relatives doesn’t mean you don’t have a family.”
We were honored to be that family. And we will always hold Lizzie close in our hearts.
Rest in peace, Lizzie. It’s been an amazing journey with you.
Meet John
John, a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War, and member of our Adult Day Center. In his retirement, John loved to attend veteran’s events. The connection he found among friends and neighbors gave him a community he could depend on. But, as John reached his late seventies, health problems began to make a big impact on his safety and independence. He began to need a walker, and his dementia meant that he relied more on his wife, Carol, to complete tasks that at one time came easily to him. Carol and their son, Michael, do their best to care for John and to honor John’s wish to continue living at home.
To assist the family, the V.A. referred John to Catholic Charities’ Adult Day Center where he could enjoy time away from home each week in a safe and social environment, and his family would have a respite and relief knowing that John is well cared for. The friendly and welcoming staff encouraged John to attend the ADC two days a week. He enjoys his time playing games with the other members and staying engaged. He still loves attending veteran’s events when he can and sharing stories with his new friends at the ADC.
Meet Carol Jean
Carol Jean has been a member at our Adult Day Center (ADC) for seven years. During that time, she experienced the heartbreaking loss of her brother and other hardships, but she knew she could turn to her family at the ADC for support. Carol Jean shares of her experience with the ADC, "I like it here, I like the poeple, the food, the games. I like coming here. I have a lot of friends and family; every day here is the best day." Just as the ADC cares for Carol Jean, she cares for other members and the staff like her own family.
"She loves being busy, and she always goes the extra mile to make sure everyone will be okay." Annette, director of the Adult Day Center, shares. The ADC provides its members with a safe place to stay that meets their complex needs, but the members make it a second home and remind all of us of the powerful impact of family.