Fairhaven Memorial Park Honors Alzheimer’s Caregiver, Everyday Heroes for Selfless Contributions

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. - Nov. 2, 2015 - PRLog -- Gina Moran, a dedicated caregiver, has made it her life’s work to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Serving as the primary caregiver for her mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 10 years ago, Moran understands first-hand the frustration and difficulties of being a caregiver – and often overcomes daily challenges with a sense of humor in the face of losing a loved one to this tragic disease. Moran, and five previously identified honorees, will receive recognition Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Fairhaven Oliver Halsell Care Awards banquet at Fairhaven Memorial Services in Mission Viejo.

Moran, the November/December honoree, also represents her impassioned personal experience at Alzheimer’s Association, Orange County (http://www.alz.org/oc/), where she is a community outreach specialist. The Santa Ana resident works closely with physicians and community and interfaith leaders to raise awareness of available resources.

Fairhaven Memorial Park, with locations in Santa Ana and Mission Viejo, created the Oliver Halsell Care Awards (http://www.fairhavenmemorial.com/community/oliver-halsell...) in 2012 to pay monthly tribute to Orange County caregivers who have demonstrated exceptional care in their profession and community. The award was named in recognition of Oliver Halsell, who founded Fairhaven in 1911 to provide a peaceful and comforting place for families to honor their loved ones.

“While Alzheimer’s disease has touched generations of my family, I’m grateful for every day I have with my mother as she continues to fight the disease,” said Moran. “As a caregiver, my first concern is always my mother, and I’m truly moved to be recognized in this way, with this award, and for the opportunity to help increase awareness for Alzheimer’s.”

At the Nov. 18 banquet, each of the six honorees will be presented with a crystal statue by Marla Noel, president of Fairhaven, and Michael Alarcon, manager of Fairhaven Memorial Services, during a special awards presentation. The honorees also were asked to select a nonprofit to receive a special donation in their honor from Fairhaven.

“Our Care Award winners exemplify the giving spirit and compassionate nature that is found in caregivers from every walk of life,” said Noel. “Our founder, Oliver Halsell, recognized the importance of showing gratitude to these individuals years ago and it is a tradition we’re proud to keep alive at Fairhaven.”

The 2015 Care Award honorees include:

·         Theresa Jamieson (Corona): staffing coordinator at Orange County Global Medical Center (http://www.westernmedicalcenter.com/) and the January/February winner

·         Arnetta Robinson (Newport Beach): community relations liaison at Sea Crest Home Health and Hospice (http://www.seacresthh.com/); March/April

·         Dr. Lowell Kleinman (San Clemente): doctor specializing in palliative care at Memorial Care Medical Group (http://www.memorialcare.org/memorialcare-medical-group); May/June

·         Rabbi Reuven Mintz (Newport Beach): spiritual and grief counselor at Hoag Hospital, director of the Chabad Jewish Center in Newport Beach (http://www.jewishnewport.com/), a leader of The Friendship Circle (http://www.friendshipcircleoc.org/); July/August

·         Pat Maruzewski (Laguna Woods): volunteer with OC Hospice (http://www.ochospice.com/); September/October

·         Gina Moran (Santa Ana): community outreach specialist at Alzheimer’s Association Orange County (http://www.alz.org/oc/); November/December

For more than 100 years, Fairhaven’s connection to the community has extended beyond memorial services. It is not only a place to remember loved ones who have died, but a place to celebrate new memories and traditions, including memorial services, receptions and other great events, such as the Care Awards.

About Fairhaven’s Oliver Halsell Care Award

Fairhaven’s Oliver Halsell Care Award pays tribute to Orange County individuals whose kindness and dedication to serving others is inspirational. These courageous individuals go above and beyond their job descriptions to serve with the utmost care and compassion. Fairhaven’s Oliver Halsell Care Award winners come from many fields including private care, hospice, social work, counseling, assisted living, medical providers, therapy, volunteer work and more.

For more information and to nominate a deserving candidate, visit Fairhaven’s website: http://www.fairhavenmemorial.com/community/oliver-halsell-care-award or email CareAwards@FairhavenMemorial.com.

About Fairhaven

Founded in 1911 by Oliver Halsell to provide a peaceful and comforting place for families to honor their loved ones, Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary is Orange County’s most beautiful full-service mortuary, crematory and cemetery. With the memorial park and mortuary in Central Orange County (http://www.fairhavenmemorial.com/) and an elegantly appointed mortuary in South Orange County (http://www.fairhavenmemorialservices.com/), Fairhaven provides funeral, cremation and burial services both at the time of need and through advanced planning, maintaining its steadfast commitment to care and compassion. Fairhaven is dedicated to celebrating the individual, providing services that are as unique and wide-ranging as the people they celebrate. Additional information is available at www.fairhavenmemorial.com. Connect with Fairhaven at www.facebook.com/fairhavenmemorial or www.twitter.com/fairhavenoc.