Ashtabula Team Joins Patient to Celebrate 106th Birthday

Recently, HWR’s Ashtabula Team celebrated a remarkable 106^th birthday with their patient Eloise Fleming! Eloise’s family, the staff at Geneva Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and the Ashtabula HWR Team collaborated to throw a birthday bash complete with cake and ice cream. HWR social worker Maureen Varckette, licensed practical nurse Mark Miller, volunteer service manager Jordan Stills and many residents attended the special celebration. Several volunteers from the Ashtabula team sent birthday greetings.

Eloise (nee Koeppe) was born in Amsterdam, Ohio on Feb. 28, 1916. Shortly after that, her family moved to Aurora.  She attended Kent State University from 1934-38 and received a Bachelor's degree, and in 1941 earned a Master's in Biology from KSU. In 1943, she married Fredrick Paul Fleming. The couple had three children: Phyllis, Carol and Allen. Eloise taught biology at Geneva High School from 1956 until her  retirement in 1976.

She maintained good health by participating regularly in exercise classes at the Senior Center for more than 20 years, and also enjoyed playing kazoo and washboard in the "Off Our Rockers" band, which performed at nursing homes and assisted living communities in the area. Congratulations and Happy Birthday, Eloise! You are an inspiration.