CasMarie Savaneta has been doing fantastic work in our community for almost 20 years, functioning as a kind of daycare facility for sufferers of dementia and Alzheimer. The home invites the elderly to exercise, socialize and spend time during the day, while their family members are at work. The elderly are encouraged to do what brings them joy, crafts, cooking, exercise, dance, solving puzzles, and mostly interacting with a highly trained, big-hearted and supportive staff.
The not-for-profit foundation running the home was created by Boy Escalona. Marie, his beloved wife started suffering from Alzheimer in her fifties. He decided not to give up on the love of his life, and though little was known about the disease, he supported Marie gently and selflessly, until she unfortunately died. With her passing he dedicate his life to the help of others, guiding family members of similar sufferers. His efforts, in collaboration with grown daughters Yvonne, Gisele and Dyane, resulted in the opening of CasMarie, almost two decades ago, in Savaneta.
In her heart-felt address Yvonne told her audience at the inauguration of CasMarie at Mama Ties in Santa Cruz, that she dreamt about expanding the project but did not see a realistic way to also offer similar services in a different neighborhood. Then a phone call from Gold Coast developer and Cas Bon builder, Fito Croes informed her that his family decided to repurpose their original family home and donate it to CasMarie Foundation.
Yvonne was in tears recalling that conversation. So did the audience. Not a dry eye in the house.
The Croes-Lee family decided to donate the home of their youth and repurpose it to the specification of CasMarie, and its director Lisette Does. Fito oversaw the transformation himself. Friends said he was fired up, and totally enthusiastic during the fast and effective renovation.
The plan to donate the home, and outfit it for its new mission was hatched by Mayrin, a beloved sibling, a valiant warrior in the fight with cancer. When Myrin passed away, the family picked up her torch and carried out the plan, which came to fruition last evening.
The minister of Elderly Affairs, Ursell Arends, who grew up in the same neighborhood, contributed funds to the project which fits his vision to open a total of ten similar facilities on the island, in every neighborhood, to cater to the needs of elderly locals with cognitive challenges.
Both Fito and Dyane spoke at the inauguration. Both speeches were heartfelt and moving. Fito talked about the legacy of his mother, the matriarch of the family, and the values she instilled in the nuclear and extended network of relatives, values which inspire and compel to share love in abandon and inclusion.
The ribbon cutting ceremony by a young set of family members, attests to the fact that the Croes-Lee values are inherited, and are instilled in the next generation.
Family member Tai-Foo Lee presented the home with a lovely portrait of Mama Ties, he found in an old album, which he enlarged, printed, and framed.
The audience was touched by video testimonials and by Boy Escalone, 88, who shared his feelings openly, as he considers the CasMarie project his life’s work. The event was nicely catered by a family member, Peanuts Restaurant Catering Service, and very well attended, by neighbors, friends and relatives.
The donation of the home is a noble, generous and commendable gesture on behalf of the Croes-Lee family, and it is greatly appreciated by the community.
