Cherish.

In 1939 Joan Sutter was in college at the University of Michigan in East Lansing. By chance, Joan and her friend met two gentlemen, each named Bob. The men convinced the women to change their plans and attend a dance at the local YMCA. Joan danced every dance with Bob Sutter.

“He was good dancer,” Joan said with a smile. Three weeks later Bob called Joan for a date. Four years later Bob and Joan were married.

The story of how Bob and Joan met is just one of the many stories told, and retold, with a group of women at Saint Therese.

Every afternoon at about four o’clock Joan, and her daughter Bev, gather a few of Joan’s friends together for coffee, cookies and good conversation in the Café Rose. Together, Charlotte, Vergil, Louis, Joan, Marilynn, Bev and sometimes Donna will sit, chat and enjoy the action surrounding them. 

The women share the trials and tribulations of life including husbands, marriages, children, growing up and growing old. They celebrate birthdays with cupcakes and the amazement that another year has passed. They giggle and laugh together, but they also relate and console one another.

For Bev, the conversations and time with her mom are cherished. Saint Therese has become a home away from home.

“I feel very secure knowing she is getting the best care possible,” Bev said. “There are so many things about Saint Therese that make a difference; you really feel like you’re cared about.”

Bev smiles as she recalls her mother pointing to a specific nurse aid and saying “I want to make her my daughter,” then pointing to another aid and saying “her too.”

“They treat my mom like they would their own mom,” said Bev.

As Vergil begins telling a story about her life as a newlywed Bev chuckles commenting that Vergil’s story is told often.

“It doesn’t matter, it’s still a good story,” Bev says with a smile.