Almost every day, the Masonic Homes receives letters of thanks from families of residents and others who receive services. The following is a letter from the daughter of the late Charlotte Barshinger, a former resident of the Masonic Homes:

Dear Masonic Homes Committee members and staff,

Thank you very much for the lovely floral arrangement sent in memory of my mother, Charlotte Barshinger, at her funeral December 22, 1998...

I would also like to compliment every member of the wonderful staff on Ben Franklin, third floor. My mother had been with me in Maryland, temporarily, when she was hospitalized in November of 1997. When she left the hospital, she had to live in a nursing home near my home in Annapolis. My husband and I visited the Masonic Health Care Center in December of 1997. We were so impressed, not only with the facility, but even more so with the staff that we asked to put her on the waiting list for a room.

February 10, 1998, I moved her to BF 3 and visited her several times a month. Each time I was greeted with a sincere welcome from all the staff. I never worried about mother (even as far from me as she was) since I knew she was receiving professional and tender care. Small strokes from an irregular heartbeat over many years had finally taken mother's ability to communicate her desires which made it very frustrating for her. Everyone made a special effort to understand her through body language, and they did it with extreme patience in a very trying situation. She always nodded "yes" when I asked her if they were taking good care of her.

She became very ill December 13 with an inoperable abdominal blockage. We all (the staff, my family, and I) came to a compassionate decision to begin "comfort care." I was with her continuously for her last several days and had a chance to observe the staff during all shifts. They truly lived up to my observation since last February that they are very special people. They let me have my quiet time with mother, provided me with a cassette tape of hymns, a recliner to sleep on, and yet were there instantly if mother or I needed help. Those last few days, I felt they were my dear friends and not only mother's loving care givers.

The most important compliment to the staff came from my husband. He had only visited several times, but in those few short hours, he saw something extremely special besides a beautiful, clean facility­a thoroughly competent and extremely caring staff! My husband, Dave, has been in the health care business for 29 years, has been in every department in hospitals and has met hundreds of health care staff. He told me he has never seen a better facility than Masonic Homes­you can be very proud of your staff on BF 3!

Thank you again for your thoughtfulness and helping to make mother's last few months as comfortable and peaceful as possible.

Sincerely,
Justine Disborough
daughter of Charlotte Barshinger