This first verse of the invitation composed by Hilda Wuenschel for her 100th birthday celebration perfectly describes Hilda. She is a person who radiates joy – a joy most evident when speaking about her late husband, Herman, their four children, 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Hilda Wuenschel was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 10, 1908. After attending grammar and high school, she went to work as a bookkeeper for United Artists Film Exchange. Hilda recalls that Pittsburgh, at that time, had so much coal soot in the air that she would have to wash her neck after her walk across Liberty Bridge to her workplace.  

Hilda Wuenschel met her future husband, Herman Wuenschel, on her way to church. She and her family were on their way to the last Mass of All Saints’ Day talking about the Halloween party the night before. Herman had driven in from Erie with a few friends to see a football game and Hilda’s father invited them all home for a beer that lasted well into their family dinner that night, and then into a lifetime for Herman and Hilda.

Hilda and Herman were married for almost 65 years. They raised a family of four:  Jim, Jack, Dan and Mary Ann. Most of their young family life was spent in the town of Avalon near Pittsburgh - a town small enough to know almost everyone. Hilda volunteered at their church and kept her home comfortably busy with her children and their friends. They had a ping-pong table that often drew a crowd. Herman’s weeks were long with work and travel, so he often couldn’t be home for dinner; and Hilda laughingly remembers being creative with the family meals. If a child was ill, dinner was moved to that child’s room, so they could all be together. If Hilda didn’t feel she was serving a great meal, she’d make the table look great by decorating with candles. When her son Jim described his childhood home to a friend, the friend replied, “You must have lived in Heaven”. The boys were in the service and Mary Ann was in high school when Herman’s job required them to sell their beloved home and make a new life in Flourtown. Friends and neighbors from Avalon were frequent visitors to their new home. 

Hilda’s advice for a happy and fulfilling life:  “Enjoy your family and laugh a lot”.  

On June 7, 2008, a 99 degree summer afternoon, Hilda’s family and friends gathered in the Villa’s auditorium to celebrate their centenarian. Each of Hilda’s 13 great-grandchildren presented her with a bouquet of flowers, and her youngest son, Dan, was Master of Ceremonies. In her invitation, Hilda had requested a gift of $1.00 from each guest for the dollar store. Hilda is also enjoying other lovely presents she received along with her dollar store stash. Personalized wine bottles and floral centerpieces adorned every table at the party. Guests dined on BBQ chicken and pork, Cajun chicken, several salads, fruit, cheeses, hot dogs – all of this topped off with a cake surrounded by 75 cupcakes. Hilda showed me M & M candies inscribed with her name and age. Her grandson-in-law, Bill, delighted her by playing her old favorites on the piano. There was a power-point display of family photos for all to enjoy, including a picture of Hilda’s First
Holy Communion Day.

It is now two weeks since her festivities and Hilda is still aglow with memories of her wonderful day. She sends her thanks to everyone for their well-wishes and gifts, and for celebrating with her and her family.

Most of all, Hilda wishes to thank her family for all of their loving hard work in putting together such a joyful and festive celebration. 

—Rose Topper

Villa Celebrates Older Americans Month

May is designated Older Americans Month, and Saint Joseph Villa took this opportunity to pay tribute to our residents here, as well as our staff, who work so hard to make this a place our residents can call home.

May 4th marked the beginning of National Nurses Week. On Wednesday, May 7th, nursing staff on all shifts enjoyed a special meal and received nursing pins in celebration of the profession. 

On Friday, May 16th, our sister residents on the upper floors were treated to the first ever “Happy Hour on the Patio”. Due to rainy conditions, the event was moved into the Community Room, but no one’s spirits were dampened by the change. The sisters enjoyed butlered hors’douvres, specialty drinks, and great companionship. I am sure that this will become a fast tradition.

On Wednesday, May 25th, staff on all shifts enjoyed a special lunch, courtesy of Dining Services, which included fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, wraps and assorted cakes for dessert. During the lunch, awards were presented to staff with 5, 10, 15 and 20 years of service, as well as those with Annual Perfect Attendance for 2007. 

On Wednesday, May 28th, residents and staff celebrated the month together with a picnic on the patio. All in attendance were treated to great music, provided by Steve Brown (the Villa’s provider of eye care services), a balloon artist, and staff and residents singing and dancing. A special moment occurred when S. Vicki DeSante and S. Regina Joseph took us to “Margaritaville”. Again, a wonderful barbeque meal and service was provided by Dining Services. 

On Thursday, May 29th, the month ended with a presentation for family members and residents. Dr. Michael Becker, the Villa Medical Director, spoke on this year’s theme of Older Americans Month, “Love is Ageless”. His talk was followed by discussion and dessert.

As the month came to a close, it is safe to say that we were all kept busy, and had fun while doing it. Thanks to everyone who helped to recognize and celebrate that “Love is Ageless”.—Lisa K. Radecke

May and June Memories

• On May 2, 1854, five novices set off from Philadelphia to McSherrystown, PA to take up residence at Saint Joseph Academy, a school that had been formerly staffed by another community of sisters. This newly acquired property became the first motherhouse for the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia. The novices traveled by “steam car” (train) to Hanover and then on to their new home where they were greeted with a rain storm. Because the school had been closed for two years, they found the building empty and damp. They were overwhelmed by the generous hospitality of their “dear neighbors,” the Lilly family, who took the sisters into their home for the first week. After a few days of vigorous cleaning, they moved into their new convent home, where their first meal consisted of remnants of cake from their traveling basket and a ham, a gift of their neighbors.

• On May 13, 1964, Reverend Mother Divine Shepherd announced to the community that the Sisters of Saint Joseph would undertake the enlargement of Saint Joseph Villa in Cheltenham, PA. The plan was for a 10-storied building, 125 feet tall. Plans came to a halt when it was learned that Cheltenham Township was in the process of revising the zoning code. The new code only allowed for heights of 44 feet. It was clear that the Sisters would not get a building permit. This resulted in a change of location – to the Rex Farm in Flourtown, PA, the present location of Saint Joseph Villa.

• On June 4, 1928, nine students from Chestnut Hill College received their degrees, the first graduating class of the college. This began the 80 year history of CHC graduation ceremonies which have included famous honorary degree recipients and speakers like S. Helen Prejean, Cokie Roberts, this year’s speaker Melissa Fitzgerald (actress and granddaughter of James McCullough, Villa builder) and the recently deceased Tim Russert.

• On June 21, 1968, 21 cars formed a caravan on the driveway of the old Saint Joseph Villa in Cheltenham to transport sisters to the new Villa in Flourtown. Each driver had the names of two sisters, their room numbers at Cheltenham and their room numbers at Flourtown. The sisters were waiting, suitcases packed and ready to go. Cars left every 5 to 10 minutes. The same procedure was used for transporting sisters from the Motherhouse. In all, 45 sisters came from the Motherhouse and 70 from Cheltenham. After interviewing S. Francis Xavier, the coordinator of the move, a reporter from the Inquirer noted, “Never underestimate the power of women to get things done!”

—S. Nancy Roche