She was unable to sit in her wheelchair safely due to her disease progression, and her family was concerned that she wouldn’t be able to attend her party. Upon learning of her family’s goal, Manning’s Bluegrass Hospice Care team collaborated to move up her admission date. Less than 24 hours after her admission, they coordinated the delivery of a Broda chair that provides supportive positioning so that Manning could safely attend and celebrate at her birthday party

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“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” Patricia, Manning’s daughter said. “The chair was a lifesaver because it allowed Mom to attend her party and celebrate this milestone with us. The staff at Madonna Manor where Mom stays also used the chair for the next few days to take her to the dining room and engage with her community at the Manor.” 

Although battling dementia, Manning seemed genuinely happy to see her family, even taking a bite of her favorite lemon cake. 

“My favorite memory is of me bending over Mom’s wheelchair with her cake and the candle while everyone sang happy birthday and her looking at the cake sort of in awe,” Patricia said. “That was a moment that just struck me that this is really happening.” 

Her party doubled as a family reunion, where relatives greeted Manning and visited with each other. A few gave toasts that shared memories of what her 36,525 days of life have meant to them. Patricia recounted how her mom grew up during the Great Depression and learned to make do with very little. Manning made Patricia’s dresses out of feed sacks, and she remembers her friends telling her they were the best dresses they’d ever seen. Although not formally educated, Manning was a person with the utmost common sense and was a homemaker and caregiver for her and her husband’s families. She loved gardening, especially her rose bushes. Always a swimmer, she joined a synchronized swimming team with friends at her local YWCA in her 60s. 

During the celebration, Manning even got to hold the newest member of the family, her 6-month-old great grandnephew. Everyone left the party with memories they’ll hold for a lifetime and a king-sized Baby Ruth candy bar: Like Ruth Manning, Baby Ruth was created in 1923. 

“Getting to be part of celebrations like this is just so rewarding,” Suzanne Rineer, Manning’s nurse said. “My job is to help patients end their lives well, and it’s nice to celebrate something lifegiving to help the family find joy. Those little memories of happy, joy-filled moments help with the sorrow and the grieving process after their loved one’s passing.” 

“I always try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud,” Angela Gray, Department of Medical Equipment Office Manager, said. “I’ve learned that what Maya Angelou said is true: people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. I’m so grateful to have been able to help facilitate this celebration for the Manning family.”   

Bluegrass Care Navigators provides hospice care in 32 counties across Kentucky, as well as specialized care for aging Kentuckians including palliative, PACE, home health, transitional, home primary care and grief care. For more information about our services or volunteer programs, visit www.bgcarenav.org.