Assisted Living | Distinguished Resident Accomplishment Award

At UMH we understand the importance of recognizing and honoring our residents’ accomplishments.  We believe that this chapter in our residents’ lives should be as meaningful and productive as all the others.  We have many, many residents who have blossomed since moving into a UMH community. Last evening, one such resident, Doris E. Thorn of our Crosby Commons at Wesley Village community was recognized by the Connecticut Assisted Living Association with the first ever “Distinguished Resident Accomplishment Award”. This award is given to a resident who has found meaning and purpose through achieving a goal that brings them fulfillment and benefits others, whether it be in their community or the community at large.

Doris arrived at Crosby Commons at the age of 80, nine years ago. Prior to her arrival at Crosby Commons, she had survived five cancer surgeries. In spite of dealing with two additional cancer surgeries in the ensuing years, Doris maintained a vision of her wellness through her faith and spirituality.  Today Doris is a seven-year cancer survivor.

Doris has initiated, led, and participated in numerous activities in the community, including lending her beautiful soprano voice to worship services and special programs, starting a chorus, leading a Prayer Circle and a Drama Club, and participating in planting and tending a community garden.  At the age of 82, she joined an oil painting class for residents, having had no experience.  Her talent blossomed, and Doris’s paintings have been displayed in a local art gallery and at the Chamber of Commerce in Shelton, CT.

She was also interviewed by a local television station about her paintings. Doris was asked to paint a “Planetree”, which is the symbol of the Planetree philosophy embraced by Wesley Village. Her deep spirituality has led her to conduct an “Angel Study Group” for residents, and she regularly prays for those in need.

In recent years Doris had her old record, “Be Still and Know”, a collection of hymns, put onto a CD, which is now for sale.  She finished writing a book, “Casting Light on the Mystery of God in You” in December of 2011.  It is in the process of being published by Friesen Press.  She says it is the highest and final expression of her purpose in life.  A friend who read the completed manuscript commented, “Doris Thorn takes the reader on an inspiring, in-depth journey into the world of the spiritual, an exciting blend of science and faith.”  Doris says, “I am hoping this work will trigger a spark in the mind of the average person who has not given much thought to the Mysterious World of Higher Vibrations…it is my hope and desire that this book will appeal to all people, but especially the younger generations, who today seem to be bewildered…I also hope to reach anyone of any age who is skeptical and burdened by negativity”.

Doris was nominated by Carolyn Monachelli, an Administrative Assistant at Crosby Commons at Wesley Village. Everyone at UMH wants to congratulate Doris for her accomplishments!  To learn more about the special communities where residents truly blossom, please contact us for more information.