THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 15, 1996 TAG: 9609130212
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: CLOSE-UP
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers Cutchins
LENGTH: 66 lines
When Deanna Elliott brought her work home a few weekends ago, she needed four minivans.
She also needed three close friends to serve as chauffeurs, several gallons of ice cream and a variety of gooey toppings.
Elliott is activities director of Emily Green Shores, and she was hosting 20 of the retirement home's 39 residents at an ice cream social in her home.
``To me, it was a natural thing to bring them to my home,'' said Elliott, 45, who has served as Emily Green's social director for five years. ``They feel like I'm part of their family.''
Alene Wixson, who has lived at Emily Green Shores just seven months, calls Elliott ``the glue that holds this place together.''
``She does an awful lot,'' said Wixson, 83, who resides in independent living quarters next to the main facility. ``She's supposed to work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but there are lots of times she works much longer than that.''
If a volunteer doesn't show up to run errands for a resident, for example, Elliott will go out and do it.
``She does so many little extras all the time,'' Wixson said. ``And she just seems to never get tired.''
At the retirement home, Elliott is a master at planning activities that are a little out of the ordinary.
She once organized a fashion show featuring residents in zany attire: a pin-striped suit with vertical rows of safety pins; a tea dress complete with dangling tea bags; a bridesmaid gown with cleaning supplies attached; a dinner dress donning fruit, vegetables and small cans of food; and a seersucker dress covered in lollipops.
``I've always loved older people,'' said Elliott, who grew up in Iowa. ``I had a really good relationship with my grandmother, and I enjoyed her stories. I've always loved to sit and listen to older people.''
In her seven years at Emily Green Shores, Elliott has adopted a philosophy that's made it easy to stay focused and enjoy her work.
``I don't look at this place as a facility,'' she said. ``I look at it as a home.''
Full name: Deanna S. Elliott
Hometown: New Virginia, Iowa
Most fond childhood memory: ``Sledding with my brothers in the beautiful Iowa snow.''
Spouse: Melvin Elliott
Children: Scott, 21; Matthew, 18; Alyssa, 5
Occupation: Assistant administrator of Emily Green Shores
Hobbies: Crafts, sewing and singing
Favorite game: ``Life Stories - every family ought to have it.''
Describe yourself as a color: ``Green because I feel like I'm always growing and learning.''
If you could be any tree, what would it be? ``I think I would be an oak because they are very strong.''
What irritates you the most: ``People who don't follow through on something they have promised to do. But, actually, I try not to get irritated.''
Favorite movie: ``Mr. Holland's Opus''
Can't resist: ``Talking to people''
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``I'd like to be more self-disciplined.''
Favorite way to spend a day: ``In a boat on a lake with a good book. That's so I would be out of touch.''
What would you choose for a last meal? ``Pizza'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL by CNB