Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Judy Raymond walked outside Lake Prince Woods on Tuesday morning, not expecting to see staff and residents waiting to sing, “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”

Raymond celebrated her 10th anniversary of being the executive manager at Lake Prince Woods retirement community on Sept. 1.

“These 10 years have gone by fast,” said Raymond. “I have really enjoyed being part of this campus and the greater Suffolk community.”

A small ceremony took place in front of the main entrance on the outside patio. A group of more than 40 staff and residents spread out across the patio with masks to show their love and support.

“It’s just heartwarming the love the residents and the staff have,” said Raymond. “It’s a great team on both sides that truly care about each other.”

President of the residents’ association, John Sulfaro, presented Raymond with congratulatory letters and cards from residents.

“Throughout the ever-ongoing pandemic, in the daily changing environment, you made the tough decisions to ensure that this is the safest environment possible with minimal risks to everyone’s health,” said Sulfaro. “A lot of the decisions that were and are being made are maybe not the most popular. The placement of those rules has minimized the health risks for residents.”

Sulfaro noted how proud the Lake Prince Woods community is of the relationship between the staff and residents envied by other retirement communities under their home office, United Church Homes and Services. He finished his speech by wishing Raymond many more years to come.

Raymond also received flowers from the advisory council the day before but received another arrangement from the residents. The staff provided her with a beach bag full of vacation essentials for her upcoming trip. The home office in North Carolina sent her a 10-year plaque to commemorate her anniversary.

“Thank you for letting me be here the past 10 years,” said Raymond. “I wish I could hug everyone.”

Residents and staff extended air hugs to keep the proper social distancing measures while still spreading the love.