ATHOL—On Tuesday morning, Royalston resident Norah Dooley packed up flowers from her garden and made a special delivery to the residents at the Quabbin Valley Healthcare & Rehabilitation in Athol.

“I have so many flowers on my property, that at times I do not know what to do with them all,” said Dooley in a release from Quabbin Valley Healthcare. “My daughter Ferron is actually the one who suggested that I donate them, so I put them all in buckets and here I am.”

The buckets of flowers included and array of colorful blooms, including sunflowers, dahlias, zinnias, coneflowers (echinacea), Victoria and more. Director of Activities Pam Hamberg said the building welcomes these kinds of donations.

The Dooley's are no stranger to floral design.

"My daughter Ferron is a floral designer and a flower farmer in Amherst MA," Dooley continued. "All four of our daughters came out to help plant our gardens this year when my husband and I were down with our first case of COVID. We were pretty sick and ‘out of service’ at the height of planting season - so our dear daughters really get the credit - I just pick 'em and pack 'em."

“We often receive flowers and arrangements donated by funeral homes and also flowers from people’s weddings,” stated Pam. “It is not that often that we receive such a large bounty from a private citizen.”

The stems will be separated into small arrangements and placed throughout the three units and in common areas of the facility.

Administrator Mark Ailinger said, “We are always grateful for the love and support we receive, not just from the families of our residents, but from members of the community.”

Quabbin Valley Healthcare accepts donations seven days a week, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

“The residents really enjoy them and often will smell them and reminisce about their own gardens or share a personal flower story,” said Hamberg. “It really does bring cheer, especially on a rainy day.”

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