May 21, 2014 (Hickory, NC) ─ In 1870, the same woman who penned the words to the famous U.S. Civil War-era song “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” Julia Ward Howe wrote a Mother’s Day Proclamation, calling on all mothers to unite for peace in the world. Howe’s impassioned plea for peace planted the seeds for Mother’s Day in North America. Forty-four years later, at the urging of activist Anna Jarvis, President Woodrow Wilson declared it a national holiday in 1914. Today, Mother’s Day is celebrated in 70 countries worldwide.

Pictured above are Hickory Villlage Memory Care residents Annie Hefner, Gladys Anderson and Karen Eastwick.

More than 90 family members gathered to pay tribute to the 35 mothers at Hickory Village Memory Care, a DePaul Senior Living Community, on the evening of Friday, May 9. The women at Hickory Village were also treated to a glamorous photo shoot on May 6. The photos were framed and presented to family members at the Mother’s Day celebration.

“The families enjoyed seeing their family members and also interacting with other resident’s families,” said Activities Director Anna Wilson.

Administrative Assistant Suzanne Devine designed and implemented a timeless Victorian theme including tables decorated with crystal and silver platters, antique bird cages, roses and lace tablecloths.

The residents made special corsages which they proudly donned for the special celebration. Soft jazz played while families reminisced about the past over a delicious spread, featuring banana pudding, lemon bars, strawberry shortcake, Oreo torte and ham and cheese pinwheels. A special thanks also goes out to Pinkie Mayfield, Barbara Phillips, Sandra Johnson, Elizabeth Wilson, and Marguerite Little for volunteering their time. For more information about Hickory Village, please contact Administrator Susan Blizzard at (828) 322-2230.