96-year-old Mary Johnson is a Christmas enthusiast and her love for decorating during the
festive season has remained strong while living at Arcare Parkwood.
Throughout the year, she collects decorations to create amazing creations each year. She loves to decorate based on a different theme each year and every year her room looks fantastic.
This year she created a Christmas village which includes a Christmas tree shop, coffee shop and church.
Mary says that “Christmas has always been my favourite holiday; my family always tries to outdo one an another.”
She explained that her family’s Christmas decoration competition started with her, and the
passion was passed down to her six children and grandchildren and they are all very
enthusiastic about being bigger, better, and more extravagant than each other every year.
“I’m the master of it all!” Mary said.
Mary’s daughters Jenny and Diane helped decorate the courtyard area connected to her
room, which she shares with a few other residents.
They potted all the flowers and always put up the outside Christmas decorations each year. Another Arcare Parkwood resident and Mary’s neighbour, Pauline O’Doherty, loves gardening and always helps.
“Team members and other residents love coming in and having a look, I even have a bowl of lollies and Christmas crackers to give them when they visit,” Mary said.
“We love seeing what she will come up with every year! Team members and residents
always look forward to when she is finished decorating so they can see her marvellous
creations,” said Residence Manager, Maria.
Mary has lived at Arcare Parkwood for nearly three years, and she says, “I like living here,
it’s got everything I need and everyone very nice.”
She is described by others as a very positive and happy person who always manages to put a smile on other people’s faces when she is around.
“I’m very appreciative of everything that has happened in my life, I always just think about all the good memories that I have made in life,” she says.
