BLOG: 104 Year Old Woman Returns to the Classroom

Thelma Spence, 104, born January 20, 1908, is a  resident of Crofton Care & Rehab Center. Last week she expressed to a staff member  that she would give anything to return to teaching for one day. The staff of Crofton Care & Rehab Center worked diligently with Shauna Kauffman, Principle of Crofton Elementary School, as well as local businesses to grant her wish. Mrs. Spence will be honored by the fifth graders of Crofton Elementary School on January 20, 2012 at 1 p.m.

Thelma Spence has taught in both Virginia and West Virginia to fifth grade students throughout her career. She always had a love for teaching and enjoyed teaching her favorite subjects: reading, arithmetic and history. Mrs. Spence enjoys talking about what it feels like to be a teacher and is filled with wisdom and experience.  When Mrs. Spence was told that her dream was granted she said “Oh my goodness! This is going to be so lovely, I am not going to be able to sleep!”

Many local businesses have overwhelmingly supported the program and have helped make this wish come true. The following local business provided the added touches to make her dream as well as her 104th birthday very special. The staff of Crofton Care and Rehab Center would like to thank the following: Black Eyed Susan for providing a birthday bouquet; Town Transport for providing the transportation to and from Crofton Elementary School; Giant Food for their monetary donation for last minute items; Vince’s Tasty Creation for providing a birthday cake; local freelance photographer, Christina Thompson, for providing a photography session to capture the day of wish and Party City in Gambrills for donating balloons. 

Recently, Crofton Care & Rehab Center launched a new quality of life program called  “Crofton Dreams” where facility staff works with community businesses to grant resident wishes. Mrs. Spence’s wish is the second wish that has been granted through this program and many more wishes are currently being developed.

The program’s first wish was granted for a resident who wanted to see Neil Diamond . Through the help of the community, the program is able to provide the resident with two Neil Diamond concert tickets for her and her husband, dinner for the two, a make over for the day of the event, a photography session for two as well as transportation to and from the Verizon Center.

To be part of the great quality of life programs offered at Crofton Care & Rehab Center, please contact Dawn Chourouk, Director of Therapeutic Recreation and Volunteer services.  If you are interested in contributing the quality of life programs provided at Crofton Care & Rehab Center Tax-deductible donations can be made to Crofton Leisure Inc.

Crofton Care & Rehab Center

2131 Davidonsonville Road

Crofton , Maryland 21114

410-721-1000 Ex 4276

dchourouk@croftoncrc.com

www.croftoncrc.com

Dawn Chourouk

Director of Therapeutic Recreation and Volunteer Services