Little Sisters of the Poor

In 1972, Leta moved from her second story duplex into Little Sisters of the Poor's Sacred Heart Home for the Aged, a Roman Catholic nursing home. She was still in relatively good physical and mental condition and only 78 years old, but by her own admission, an older woman with no personal means of transportation in a deteriorating neighborhood, going up and down stairs regularly was not necessarily in a good and safe place. 

She and her daughter Vivian did quite a bit of research and planning for this. Leta had some financial assets, and the nursing home required its residences to pay an entry fee and basically to turn over their assets upon admission. She did not want to be destitute or dependent, so before applying, she moved a portion of her savings into an account in Vivian’s name. This money would be used to pay for any extra needs she might have over the ensuing years. And she would not be a burden on anyone.

What I most remember about this time is wondering why, if we were Lutheran—meaning her daughter’s family (I am not sure she was)—and there was a Lutheran Home barely a mile from Vivian and Ed’s house, why would she choose a Roman Catholic institution.

The facility was small and rather new. It had been built in 1969. She moved into a shared room, wisely taking very little with her. We visited her quite often—my mother, sister Michelle and I. My older brother Jeff also visited until he became a rambunctious and rebellious teenager. She had her good days and bad. At least, that’s what we called them. As we grew older, my sister and I would visit apart from my mother.

I don’t know how long she expected to be there, but she lived there until her death 13 years later. In about 1975, she converted to Catholicism in order to have an active religious life. It caused some consternation for Vivian’s family. At the time, there was a considerable social division between Catholicism and many other Christian denominations.

Originally, she was quite mobile and active. In fact, for most of her life, she managed to do quite a bit. Not one to sit idle, she became one of the craft leaders that made potholders, tea cozies, table runners and these very interesting dolls that were made not to be played with, but to sit on the middle of a bed. She could sew quite well. In fact, the dolls were her specialty, and she made dozens of them over the years.

Leta's handmade doll

Michelle's Doll

Leta's handmade doll

In fact, during one of our visits when she was well into her eighties, she had two dolls in her cabinet. These were the last two dolls she was going to make, she said. One each for her two great-granddaughters Jennifer and my sister Michelle. Even though my sister was well into her teens at the time, Leta was very clear that my mother should keep it for her until she was old enough to take care of it herself.