Esther Cancio
Esther serves as one of the Cliffs’ Board members. Esther started volunteering in 2011, a few months after retiring from being a Registered Nurse. She dedicates time to serve the residents on Tuesdays where she comes to help Dawn and Monica by assisting in activities, or taking residents out for walks during the nicer weather.
Joanne McGhee and Daniel Celmer
Joanne and Dan have been volunteers at the Cliffs for about four years now. This duo spends three days at the Cliffs to help with activities. Joanne often assists Dawn and Monica with activities while Dan’s favorite task is to go to the Haven and mingle with his favorite residents and assist with feeding during lunch time. Dan also loves to talk about current affairs with the residents. On busy days, or during emergencies when the activities department is short-staffed, Joanne helps and conducts activities on the daily schedule.
Nancy Hanna
Nancy’s husband, Jim, resided at The Cliffs for about two years. After her husband passed, Nancy returned to the facility to offer her time and effort to serve the residents whom she had gotten to know and love. She volunteers on Wednesdays and Fridays to assist Charlotte with Marketing and Community Relations tasks. She also started a resident group that meets every Wednesday. Nancy had also taken over Sybil Aronson’s responsibility after her passing.
Sybil Aronson
Volunteer Extraordinaire, 2006-2016
The sadness has only softened slightly as the months have gone by since our volunteer extraordinaire peacefully passed away surrounded by those she loved, right here at the Cliffs. It has been an adjustment to not see Sybil shepharding residents onto the Cliffs bus to visit flower gardens, cathedral concerts, historical house tours and more or spending endless hours researching fun activities to introduce to residents and busily preparing seasonal decorations to enliven their “home”. For over a decade, Sybil’s presence was a welcomed and cherished one to both residents and staff alike. Sybil was introduced to the Cliffs early in 2006 when she brought her sister to live at our newly opened community. Although her sister got to enjoy the Cliffs for only one year before she died, Sybil felt a genuine commitment to contribute to the welfare of all the residents, and she became as close as family to the staff she assisted. Her presence here will always be felt.
Cliffs Residents Provide Orphanage School In Ethiopia with Their First Individual School Kits!
“You have to understand these children ages 3 to10 years have not even seen a coloring book. Imagine how the will feel when they see the generous school kits from the Cliffs residents!”
Emmebeth, a graduate of the orphanage herself, was in tears as she saw the gift packs ready to be shipped to her home town in Ethiopia. Emmebeth will be bringing them with her on her yearly 5 week journey to give back to the school and orphanage that was her home for so many years.
Residents at the Cliffs took on a goal of raising $300 for the project but raised $426, instead. Enough to cover not only supplies but airline shipping fees as well. Beside coloring books, each kit contained crayons, pencils, pens, notebooks, flip flop sandals, lollipops, sharpeners and erasers.
Ethiopia is on the east coast of Africa and in desperate need of charitable support.
The Cliffs at Eagle Rock is a non-profit Assisted Living & Alzheimer Community in the heart of West Orange. Residents are now walking laps around the Cliffs for the month of July to raise funds to send a child to camp.
17 of the 20 Cliffs Residents comprising their newly formed A Capella Chorale, debuted at the
Cliffs Good Friday Service, held on site at their historic Chapel. The group sang two numbers: “Amazing Grace”
and “Where You There”. Unfortunately 3 members were not feeling well enough to participate.
A large audience of residents, staff and families expressed delight at the quality of their performance. “I heard them practicing,” said Richard McDonald, HR Director, but they didn’t have a lot of rehearsals. Nevertheless, they were really good and I was very impressed.”
New resident Carrie Howson said with a smile: “Being part of The Cliffs Chorus is a joyful, sharing experience. Singing lets you send your happiest feelings out on the breezes and up to the sun!”
The chorus is scheduled to sing a medley of patriotic songs during the Memorial Day weekend, and then they are scheduled to perform for The Cliffs at Eagle Rock Annual Board Meeting in June.
As Director of Nursing, Orlando’s compassion and professionalism is a tremendous asset to The Cliff’s community. Orlando completed his Bachelor of Science in the Philippines, graduating in the Top 10 of his class. He joined The Cliff’s Nursing Staff in 2009 with additional credentials in Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), and Certified Assisted Living Administrator (CALA).
Orlando’s extensive experience in nursing and sub-acute care has equipped him to manage his team of nurses and caregivers for a highly efficient, superior level of nursing care for the Cliff’s residents. Orlando demonstrates daily his dedication and passions for the elderly as a highly conversant and skillful health care advocate. “ I always strive to increase the empowerment of Cliff’s caregivers through in-service education and promotion of staff camaraderie, all done in a loving workplace atmosphere, Here at The Cliffs, we are a community; we all share in the importance of calling The Cliffs HOME.”
Mark has been Director of Environmental Services at The Cliffs since 2007, overseeing all aspect of the physical plant. Prior to joining The Cliffs, he served a 20 year tenure as Director of Maintenance for high rise Senior Apartments in Atlantic City, NJ.
Mark energetically manages all aspects of The Cliff’s maintenance, always keeping The Cliffs “up to code to the highest standards.” Mark and his staff diligently look after the 6.5 acres of grounds while keeping the custodial care for the building’s 2 story interior in excellent condition. Mark is a whirlwind of energy and drive; yet keeps a warmhearted smile and kind word for a new resident as he carefully moves her into her freshly painted room.
Mark’s decades of preparedness and technical expertise have kept The Cliff’s residents and staff safe and secure through named hurricanes, epic snow storms, downed trees, and major power outages. “I am always thinking of ways to improve The Cliffs and keep the residents secure and happy in their home.”
In his spare time, Mark puts his expertise to work on his own rental properties and enjoys restoring furniture, while frequenting antique shows and flea markets.
I like being called Ruth. I was born in Brooklyn, New York and my parents were from Norway. After Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior I attended Columbia Bible College.