March 17, 2023

JGS Senior Prom was the Place to Be!

Senior Prom Queen and King, Barbara and Mike Mohajery

Remember how excited you were to attend your senior prom? Well, that same excitement was in the air as seniors from the Leavitt Family Jewish Home and Ruth’s House prepared for our JGS Lifecare Annual Senior Prom, which we celebrated with students from Longmeadow High School’s Key Club. Staff helped residents select their best outfits, get their hair and nails done, and prepare for a night of dancing, singing and celebrating.

Mary Greeley joined her mother, Jeanne McGrath, who was beautifully dressed for the affair, and happy to be a part of the celebration. “My mom was so excited about the Senior Prom! She had me go out and find her a sparkling gold jacket and had me make arrangements for her hair and nails to be done!” Irving Lewis had the room hopping with his amazing oldies and show tunes. The Key Club students enjoyed visiting and dancing with our residents.

The highlight of the evening was the crowning of Ruth’s House residents Mike and Barbara Mohajery as King and Queen of the Prom. The couple sang, held hands, kissed and, from the looks of their smiling faces, had a marvelous time.

“We were totally shocked!” said Barbara. “The first night I met Mike, I followed him around until he finally asked me to dance to Elvis Presley’s “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” which, thereafter, has held a special meaning for us. Irving Lewis was kind enough to allow me to harmonize with him as we sang that song to Mike.”

Barbara and Mike moved from Florida to Ruth’s House last August, to be closer to their daughter who lives a only mile away. Mike was in need of the support provided by assisted living, and they chose Ruth’s House as their new home. “We are both happy here and have adjusted pretty easily,” remarked Barbara. “While I don’t require assisted living, Ruth’s House provides a safe environment for Mike and I have found a way to be useful, productive and helpful. This has worked out well for both of us.”

“Barbara takes great pleasure in giving back to the residents at Ruth’s House, and has found multiple ways to enrich the lives of our residents,” remarked Christina Tuohey, Director of Ruth’s House. “She and Mike have recently underwritten the purchase of a new electric piano and Barbara looks forward to playing for the residents. She has reorganized the Ruth’s House library by subjects and enjoys reading to resident in what she calls “Fireside Stories”. She has also been an enormous help to Delila Jones, Director of Life Enrichment, with resident activities. We are so happy to have Barbara and Mike in our community and I am so pleased to hear that they were crowned King and Queen of the Senior Prom!”