Jennifer Thilo will tell you that she has one of the best jobs in the world. After listening to her residents rave about Delmar Gardens, we think you may agree. Jennifer has been the Executive Director of Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett for nearly 15 years. After majoring in English and Poetry, it was natural for her to gravitate toward serving the senior population (Hmmm…). Jennifer attributes the success of her community to the incredible team that supports her on a daily basis. We think it may have to do with the fact that there’s no job that she asks her staff to do that she wouldn’t do herself (including driving the bus!)
One of the most important roles in Delmar Gardens’ skilled nursing community is the Director of Social Services. Hilly Beckford accomplishes this task with enthusiasm and passion. Even as a teenager, Hilly says that she enjoyed her mom’s friends more than the kids her own age. She agrees with Jennifer with respect to the team of professionals that comprise the Delmar Gardens family. Hilly notes, “Walls don’t give people care, people do”. This philosophy seems to permeate the entire Delmar Gardens team.
For the first time, Eugeria! Radio had the privilege of chatting directly with a number of individuals that are on the receiving end of the senior services market. Their stories are funny and compelling. Doris Anderson is from Norfolk, Virginia. She is the Resident Counci President, and is active in the Bridge Club. She’s been a resident of Delmar Gardens for four years. Her advice to our listeners is to stay upbeat, have faith, and don’t worry!
Olympia LaMattina moved to Delmar Gardens with her husband just over two years ago. After his passing, Olympia tells us that the community at Delmar Gardens rallied around her to help her realize that she had friends there that were committed to supporting her through the grieving 
process. Salty Wyatt was captured in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. He spent 4 1/2 months as a prisoner of war, then went back and spent 15 years as a hurricane hunter. After an additional 22 years with Wachovia, he finally retired. His wife, Lillian’s claim to fame is that she put up with him for so many years. She wishes he would go back to work! (Just kidding!)
