Glen Mills Senior Living Associate Mary Lou Leonard has been part of the senior living community team since 2001. She has held different roles in those 23 years, but has made a huge impact on the lives of residents by coordinating activities in the community.
Local Job Search Turned into Decades of Dedication, Enriching the Lives of Residents
GLEN MILLS, Pa. – More than 23 years ago, Mary Lou Leonard set out to land a part-time job near her Glen Mills home in Delaware County.
She found the right job at the right location.
You might even say the Glen Mills Senior Living Associate also found her calling. More than two decades later, Leonard still works to improve the lives of the residents in the senior living community.
“Mary Lou is such an important part of our team at Glen Mills,” said Deven Boland, Executive Operations Officer at the IntegraCare senior living community. “She has been here since 2001, even before the current management took over. The residents know her and appreciate her. Mary Lou is someone our team and our residents can always count on.”
When Leonard joined the Glen Mills Senior Living team 23 years ago, she appreciated only having a 10-minute commute to work. She enjoyed interacting with team members and senior residents. Her first position was in the activities department.
“At the time, this was a role different than anything I had been accustomed to in the workplace, but I liked the residents right away,” Leonard said. “Also, little ‘signs’ told me I was in the right place. I had lost my mother the year prior to taking the job, and one of the residents shared the same birthday as my mother. Another resident had the same nickname and birthday as my daughter. Then I met a resident who was from my hometown. I knew I was in the right place.”
Eventually, Leonard took the role of night shift receptionist at Glen Mills. “I always enjoyed doing the activities with the residents, and I did miss that aspect,” she said. “But I found being at the receptionist desk was just as rewarding. I became familiar with the residents’ families and friends, and our evening team was a fun group to work with.”
Six years later, Leonard returned to the activities team, where she has had a significant impact on the residents.
“When I came to Glen Mills last November, Mary Lou gifted me with many new horizons,” said resident Barbara Partridge. “I so enjoy her Daily Chronicle, which informs me about news, both old and current, with interesting discussions. This is followed by morning exercise and then a variety of games like corn hole, catch, quizzes and craft sessions. Her sparkling personality and kindness to all, makes it a well worth day. She is a Glen Mills treasure.”
Team members at Glen Mills rely on Leonard’s experience and outgoing personality to make their shifts go smoothly.
“I meshed with Mary Lou’s spirit the first time I met her. She was very friendly and outgoing,” said Amaya Johnson, LifeStages Director. “When I became the Director of Activities years ago, and she came back to the department, it was the best thing ever. We work well together and I couldn’t do this without her. I have given Mary Lou nicknames such as the Energizer Bunny and Speedy Gonzales because she always is busy and enthusiastic.”
Over the years, her strong ties to local parish St. Thomas the Apostle led to approximately 15 residents joining the Glen Mills Senior Living community.
“Mary Lou is not only dedicated, but she is passionate about her residents,” Boland said. “She always has a smile on her face and goes above and beyond to make each activity such a great time. We are very lucky to have her.”
Leonard has five children, two boys and three girls. She spent most of her life in Ridley Township and has worked various jobs throughout the local area since 1975.
In a bit of symmetry, Leonard once worked at a local insurance agency when the renown Pulsations night club opened in 1983. The night club, with 10 dance floors, 11 bars and a state-of-the-art laser show featuring a robot, was regarded as Pennsylvania’s answer to New York City’s Studio 54 and regularly brought thousands of patrons to the region before closing in 1994.
Glen Mills Senior Living is built upon part of the 15-acre area that Pulsations formerly occupied. The senior living community recently held a Pulsations Remembrance Party.
“I remember when Pulsations opened,” Leonard said. “I remember all of the free promotions given out to the businesses in the area to come out to opening night. I used to go to shows and dance there.
“I never would have imagined that one day the property would be home to a vibrant senior living community and on the same site I once danced with my friends, I now dance with our residents,” she said.
For more information, contact Brendan Buckley, Community Relations Director, Glen Mills Senior Living at bbuckley@integracare.com or call 610.358.4900.