Most people visit retirement homes to cheer people up. I visit my friend Eleanor at Kensington Gardens and she cheers me up!

Of course, you would expect someone who has lived 100 years of what is referred to as a "full life" (mother of five and an acting career), to have some wisdom to impart; but you might not expect to be greeted by this beautiful white-haired vision with the bright blue eyes and welcoming smile, who is expecting you to bring news of what's happening and who asks the age old actor's question "who's working?" The last time I visited, I met old chums Marilyn and Jack Duffy and we reminisced along with Matthew and Marie Lewis. Matthew has kept Eleanor beautifully coiffed for thirty years, and although now retired, this is one weekly appointment that must be kept.

You might bump into friends from PAL where Eleanor, along with councilor Kyle Rae and other dignitaries cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony. Eleanor lived at PAL for eleven years, until a fractured hip demanded a wheelchair.  (this is why PAL is working for an extended care facility ) Eleanor says  "II just adored that place. It broke my heart to leave it."