Christmas is a family affair for Mercy Place Mandurah’s great, great grandmother

Great, great grandmother and born and bred West Australian Alice Powell will be spending Christmas Day surrounded by her family – all five generations of them.

The Mercy Place Mandurah resident, who was one of six children herself, is very much the matriarch of her large family and will be enjoying the company of her daughter Desley, granddaughter Kristie, great-granddaughter Samantha, and great great granddaughter, three-year-old Harper on Christmas Day, in addition to many other family members.

Born in Kalgoorlie on 25 January 1934, Alice moved to Aldersyde in the Wheatbelt when she met her farmer husband, before moving to Perth where she worked as a bookkeeper and accountant, and on to Bunbury when she retired.

Daughter Desley Puls said the family always treasured spending Christmas time with Alice, who she describes as a real homebody who loves sewing, cooking and gardening - passions which she has passed on to her own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“I will be taking her down to Bunbury for Christmas, where all five generations can be together to enjoy special family time,” says Ms Puls, who also lives in Mandurah.

“All of the family visit her regularly at Mercy Place Mandurah, she just loves spending time with all of us and particularly cherishes the time she has with her great, great, grandchild Harper, as well as her four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.”

Mercy Health Mandurah Service Manager, Christina Venables, says Christmas was a special time at the not-for-profit home, which would hold a traditional Christmas luncheon on 25 December for residents who weren’t able to spend time with their own families.

“It is wonderful for residents like Alice who are able to be with their families on Christmas Day, though the team here at Mercy Place Mandurah always make sure that Christmas is special for residents who may not have family to spend time with,” she says.

“Dozens of Mercy Health staff members, including cleaners, cooks and care staff, often forfeit lunch with their own families to ensure residents enjoy Christmas lunch, as well as tending to their daily care needs in their usual dedicated way, and these staff I believe are true angels of the community.

“We are extremely fortunate to have so many committed team members that are only too happy to go the extra mile to care for our residents and also help to inject a little Christmas spirit into their day.”

Find out more about Mercy Health.