Lebanon
At the front of the line stood Jeanne Childs, who is retiring from her post as chaplain at the Aging Resource Center and moving to Maine after serving at the center for more than nine years. As people approached, she held hands or offered hugs, taking the time to speak to each person individually, just as she always has.
“Everybody that she touched felt like they were the only person in her world,” said Lori Fortini, the center’s program leader, as she looked at the dozens of people filling the room and spilling out into the hallway. Years go by, and people continue to remember the way Childs helped them. “They still feel like she saved their lives.”
Darlene Lehmann, of Lyme, is one of those people. She attended a program led by Childs more than six years ago and the people she took part in it with still regularly meet up on their own.
“We are all are so attached to her,” Lehmann said. “You have no inhibitions about spilling out your heart to her.”
It’s easy to see why. There’s something about Childs’ way of speaking that makes one feel at ease. Her voice is soft but strong. She gives off the impression of being warm and knowing, the ideal characteristics of someone who can provide comfort and impart the courage needed to face challenging life events.
“It really has been, first of all, an invaluable joy to know Jeanne,” said Stephen Bartels, director of Dartmouth Centers for Health and Aging, during the ceremony honoring her. “She has taught all of us so much.”
Childs always pushed others to recognize how important — and essential — the spiritual part of life is to overall health.
“You’ve left such a mark here,” Bartels said. “You’ve left a legacy here.”
When it came time for Childs to speak, she emphasized the importance of spiritual health, the evidence of which was surrounding her in the people gathered in the room.
“I’m just going to be warmed by this all the rest of my life,” she said. “You’ve stretched me, educated me and touched my soul.”
Childs has been a strong advocate for senior citizens and the services that the Aging Resource Center provides.
“From its beginning, the founding energy, the motivation, the guiding vision and the leadership has been to open our arms to help the older population — free of charge — to give them education and support in meeting the challenges they face,” Childs said in an email the day after the celebration. “For me to have had the privilege to work in that culture totally freed up my creativity to build a program of care for the spirit side of health.”
Childs may be leaving the area, but the counsel she gave to others will continue to be in their hearts and minds, creating a legacy that can never be fully measured.
Editor’s note: While a replacement chaplain has not been hired yet, the process has started, Fortini said. The support groups Childs facilitated will continue with different leaders but the classes she taught are on hold. For those wishing to contact Childs, email agingcenter@hitchhock.org. Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
