Senior home’s ‘fun person’ never fails to help others

WATCH: Edith Petzoldt has been caring for people her entire life. Today at 83, she continues to care for the people around her at Davenhill Senior Living.

TORONTO — Edith Petzoldt has been caring for her fellow residents at Davenhill Senior Living for almost thirty years now.

“I’ve known Edith since I first started at Davenhill in 1984,” said Ruth-Ann Da Silva, resident services manager at Davenhill Senior Living. “She’s been here since she was 54. She actually moved in as a caregiver for a couple of seniors, just out of giving them care, she ended up living here.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I've known Edith since I first started at Davenhill in 1984," said Ruth-Ann Da Silva, resident services manager at Davenhill Senior Living. "She's been here since she was 54. She actually moved in as a caregiver for a couple of seniors, just out of giving them care, she ended up living here."

Today at 83, Edith continues to make a difference in the lives of everyone around her.

Norma Fletcher, 91, has received support and care from Edith since the day they met, more than a decade ago at Davenhill Senior Living.

“Well, I’ve known Edith from the very day I came in,” said Fletcher. “And she is very, very special to me. Very helpful, very kind.”

Diane Bamberger, Fletcher’s daughter, appreciates the care and support that Edith gives her mother.

“Edith takes mom around the building and makes sure she knows when her appointments for her hair, for example, is on and makes sure she gets to it,” said Bamberger. “Edith does other things too,  like call me if she thinks there’s something amiss. She looks around and she sees what needs doing and just does it.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Edith takes mom around the building and makes sure she knows when her appointments for her hair, for example, is on and makes sure she gets to it," said Bamberger. "Edith does other things too,  like call me if she thinks there's something amiss. She looks around and she sees what needs doing and just does it."

Da Silva said Edith helps to bring fun into Davenhill Senior Living.

“Every special occasion, Edith dresses up,” said da Silva. “Wears her funny glasses for Saint Patrick’s Day, dresses in green. Every special occasion, she’s dressed to the nines. She’s our fun person!”

For almost 30 years, this modest, kindhearted woman has taken many people under her wing by offering a helping hand, a word of encouragement or simply listening to those who need it most.

“I think as long as I’m alive and all, and I can do something for somebody else,” said Petzoldt. “That’s what the lord is leaving me on the earth for.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think as long as I'm alive and all, and I can do something for somebody else," said Petzoldt. "That's what the lord is leaving me on the earth for."

Nominations for Heroes in the Home are being accepted until April 9th, 2015, and both paid and unpaid caregivers can be nominated by anyone, as long as they live or provide care in Toronto. To nominate a caregiver, you can visit healthcareathome.ca to fill out a nomination form.