Dayspring of Wallace, a DePaul Senior Living Community in Wallace, North Carolina, has its very own ambassador in Minnie Newkirk who welcomes guests with a resplendent smile and enthusiasm to beat the band!

According to staff members, “Miss Minnie is really one of a kind! Every time people walk in the building she greets you with her ready smile and sweet personality. She’s just the type of person that always makes you feel good!”

Miss Minnie, 65, has been a resident of Dayspring of Wallace for over a year and before that she resided at DePaul’s sister community, Ashe Gardens, prior to its conversion to a community dedicated solely to memory care. She came to DePaul following the passing of her disabled mother for whom she’d been a caregiver.

Born in Currie, North Carolina, Miss Minnie, as she likes to be called, worked as a telephone operator. She was widowed young and raised her only son with the support of her wonderful family. Now she also has four granddaughters and one great-granddaughter. Miss Minnie is very close to her family and is in regular contact with all of them. They are one of her great joys in life.

She also has a deep faith in God and hosts a weekly devotion for residents of the memory care unit where she leads residents in song. Miss Minnie enjoys roses, the color red, learning new things, and basketball, and she also absolutely loves people.

“I get along with everybody. Whoever needs me, I will support them. I love them all and love is a very powerful thing. I believe the life you live speaks for you,” she said.

A regular at Dayspring activities, Miss Minnie participates in everything – exercise class, outings, games, crafts and social events. She positively lights up when she talks about her love of singing and dancing and she brought the proverbial house down with her lively moves during a recent shindig. Joy and life permeate everything she does.

The dedicated staff at Dayspring of Wallace provide the extra support Miss Minnie needs to maintain her independence which she is committed to preserving.

“Dayspring of Wallace is a very nice, clean, welcoming place,” she said. “I am treated very well by everyone here. I am blessed to live at a place that is so nice. We are all one big family here and that’s why I love living here so much!”

Learn more about Dayspring of Wallace and DePaul senior living communities.