Penny, 74, of Brookdale Cleveland Park, has a passionate soul for music with a very optimistic outlook on life. She grew up loving all types, as she sang and played different instruments such as the classical guitar and the harpsichord. Penny is the biggest music buff at her community who wins the game “Name That Tune” every time. There has never been a song that has played that she didn’t recognize! When asked about her love for music, she told us about how she always had something playing everywhere she went. She used to collect records and go to shows all the time. Due to her love for country music, Penny’s one Wish would be to attend a show at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time!
Music has always been a big part of Penny’s life, but it seems to mean much more to her today. Some of her fondest memories revolve around when her and her husband first met, sharing their love for a melody as passionate guitarists. Three years ago, Penny started having difficulty with her speech. She started stuttering more and sometimes couldn’t find the right words to express herself. However, when Penny sings, she sings fluidly and doesn’t stutter, which makes her feel “normal.”
When Penny is not singing, she is serving the community in many ways through her avid volunteer work. In the past, she helped at her church, volunteered with veteran’s affairs and aided people in writing letters. Now, she remains very active in her community by volunteering for Meals on Wheels, making Christmas cards for soldiers and helping when Brookdale sponsors an orphanage for Christmas. Aside from volunteering, she enjoys going out to lunch, having her nails done and talking amongst others.
Wish of a Lifetime and Brookdale were excited to send Penny to attend a Grand Ole Opry show featuring Craig Morgan and the Gatlin Brothers. Penny, her friend Roberta, and her resident program coordinator Misty, took a road trip from Greenville, South Carolina to Nashville, Tennessee to fulfill this special wish for Penny. The ladies were all very excited for Penny’s visit to the Grand Ole Opry for the first time.
Wish nominator, Misty, expresses, “I know that it would be priceless to see her singing along to a show with other people, knowing she would ‘fit in’ and feel no different than anyone else.”
Photos by KidTee Photography
