Sunnyview worker's service honored
Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Activity Director Lisa Trepasso almost pulled off the perfect surprise party. If only it hadn't been for that darn cake.
Trepasso wanted to surprise Kim Miller with a party to mark Millers' 40th anniversary of working at the center, 107 Sunnyview Circle.
Trepasso had residents and staff meet in the activity room Oct. 25. “We pretended we were having a resident council meeting, and it was really a surprise party,” she said. Food was explained as preparation for a visit from Sunnyview's owners.
Everything was going like clockwork until Miller opened the wrong door.
“She walked into the kitchen and saw the cake,” said Trepasso, saying the congratulations spelled out in icing pretty much gave the game away.
Miller, 64, started working at the center in October 1978.
“I worked at Fisher's Big Wheel out of high school,” Miller said. “A friend told me there was an opening at Sunnyview, and I came up and put in an application, and the rest is history.”
She said, “I started out in the dietary department. I worked there for 18 years. When an opening came up in the activity department, I switched. It was something different. I've been doing that for 22 years.”
Today she works in Sunnyview's Alzheimer's unit, leading the unit's 36 residents in activities such as yoga, adult coloring and simple bingo games.
Trepasso said, “She gardens with them and takes them outside.”
“I curl their hair and pluck their eyebrows, whatever needs done,” said Miller. Miller's days run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on special occasions, such as Sunnyview's trick-or-treat night for residents and their grandchildren, when her day can last until 9 p.m.
Miller said her job takes its toll both physically and mentally.
“It's seeing them decline gradually. They are walking, then not walking. Then they are not eating. It seems it's nature's way of handling the disease,” said Miller.
“It's depressing, but it's rewarding at the same time,” she added. “I don't have as many of my patients pass away.”“Every day I get surprised by what each individual will do,” Miller said.Trepasso said Sunnyview administrator Tricia Kradel wanted to recognize Miller's contributions and surprise her.The party, which included music, flowers and the presence of her husband, Martin, and other relatives and friends certainly did, Miller said, even if it was exposed prematurely.“They told me it was going to be a resident council meeting and the owners were going to be here to answer questions,” Miller said.“She is truly valuable to our department and so giving of herself,” said Trepasso.And she has a way with residents, Trepasso added.“One day I was up there and clicking around in my heels,” she said. “And that can agitate the residents.“One started shaking her fist and yelling. But Karen said, 'Don't worry about her. I'll take care of her.' And the resident calmed right down,” Trepasso said. Miller said she hasn't decided whether or not she will retire soon.She said her husband is already retired.“I like the residents and they surprise me every day,” she said.
