Catherine Cunningham
Aug 2026
Maplewood gave me wonderful memories of the last year of my mother’s life and I cherish the warm, loving Southport community she called home.<br><br>I will miss… seeing her friends who became my friends and being together with staff who hosted us daily and on holidays, working so hard to create special BBQs, buffets, hor d’oeuvres platters, champagne toasts, Lobster Bakes, Easter egg hunts, holiday sing-a-longs and holiday markets, trimming of the Christmas Trees, and the ceremonial rituals of Hanukkah. For 18 months my mom’s life was full again and we had so much to share. We talked about the garden, flower arranging, the guest speakers and lecturers who taught her new things at 91, the reading material for her current events group, the maintenance team who fixed her wheelchair, bingo with visiting high school football players, a pianist who came with birds and a dog, acapella singers from Yale, vocalists who often brought their own family members, and every single conversation at her dining table. It was a whole new chapter in a well-lived life.<br><br>Because Maplewood took care of my mom’s needs, it gave the two of us time to relax and connect with other residents to share stories of their lives, their families, and their travels. They loved mom’s grand-pugs and following her granddaughters’ departures and returns from travel and college. We learned who likes what movie genres, who prefers lectures, who plays mahjong, who dances at the Summer Concert Series, and who in the Mighty Maplewood Choir could sing loudest above the piano music. Maplewood is an active community and one large caring family. It’s an amazing place for anyone lucky enough to experience it. We are grateful to every staff member and resident who made our time at Maplewood so beautiful.
