‘Life and soul’ of Lohan Park Group Home retires

PAYING TRIBUTE Mary Teresa Brennan, third in from the left in the front row, pictured with her fellow staff members on the eve of her retirement.

Ger Flanagan

THE Lohan Park Group Home and Retirement Village, Brickens, recently celebrated an evening filled with both joy and sadness, as their own Mary Teresa Brennan retired after 13 years at the helm.
Ms Brennan has been described as the ‘life and soul’ of the home in her role as manager. She also played an invaluable part in Lohan Park’s expansion and success since its doors were opened in 2005.
When Ms Brennan took on the role, the home had a skeleton staff and only one resident, but through her influence and hard work, word soon spread about the new facility in Brickens and it wasn’t long before the rooms were occupied. To date, 32 residents have used the home, and those who have since passed away spent their remaining days in comfort and dignity.
Ms Brennan was instrumental in acquiring staff through various schemes and organising training, and the home now has 20-plus workers, both full-time and part-time, on the payroll.
She was also responsible for opening the dining room to the community for communal meals, which proved very popular for those living alone. From there, she established a Meals on Wheels service. In March 2006 it delivered eight meals via an old blue Ford Transit van. Today, there are two new vans, equipped to carry both hot and cold food. They supply up to 100 meals each day.
Despite being recognised as a multi-tasker, Ms Brennan is also known for being meticulous in her work, putting endless hours into fundraising and securing grants.
She has now handed over the reins to Lorraine Lowry, confident her boots will be filled.
Through her hard work, enthusiasm and tireless approach, Lohan Park Group Home and Retirement Village is the successful, welcoming home it is today, and all the staff and residents wish her, along with her husband John and the rest of her family, the very best of luck with her retirement.