COLUMN: Carillon Flashback March 12, 1980 – Music speaks volumes to home care patients

Every Wednesday afternoon Marion Penner and Lies Friesen lead the residents of Bethesda Personal Care Home in Steinbach in a weekly singsong.

“They seem to relate to music,” says Marion, who plays the piano and sings the occasional solo upon request.

“Music speaks more to them than the spoken word. It strikes a response, a chord within them. Perhaps it’s their memories of the past, or music they’ve heard in the past.”

The singsongs began when the women were visiting in the home shortly after it opened in 1972 and heard residents say, “People come and entertain us, but we have no chance to sing ourselves.”

Lies suggested Marion sit down at the piano and they would sing a few songs. Eight years later, Marion is still emcee and song leader.

Wednesday’s songfest began with Count Your Many Blessings and When We All Get To Heaven. The old familiar songs of faith set the occasional hand tapping the beat against a wheelchair and several handkerchiefs wiped wet eyes.

Senior citizens who are still active in the community join Marion Penner and Lies Friesen at the personal care home to participate in the Wednesday afternoon get-togethers. Their presence serves a double purpose. The visit is a worthwhile outing for retired people who are non-residents, and gives the residents a chance to see outside faces.

English and German song books are passed out, so people can sing in whichever language they prefer. Lies calls out the two page numbers for each song. Many know the words by heart.

Marion sang two verses in German of Hold My Hand in Thine, requested by Mrs. Banman. Groups of senior citizens sometimes come to sing the older songs the residents love.

Sometimes the room is full of visitors, as everyone is welcome to come and join the singsong.

Sixteen-year-old Gwen Penner, daughter of Claude Penner, who has been a resident of Bethesda Personal Care Home since he became paralyzed several years ago, read a Low German poem she wrote.

Even a non-German speaker could tell the poem bounced along with good rhyme and rhythm. Gwen said it tells the story of an old couple in Rest Haven who are reminiscing about their farm during the “Dirty Thirties”. Towards the end of the poem, they are imagining the beautiful farm they will have in heaven.

Gwen got several chuckles and a hearty applause for her efforts.

Another visitor was John Braun, interim pastor at Grace Mennonite Church, who asked the blessing before lunch was served.

When Bethesda Personal Care Home first opened, the residents did all the baking and served the lunch.

Now, local churches, including one in Landmark, take turns bringing food.

– with files from Moira Neufeld