ALL THE
LOVE I HAVE
MAPLEWOOD LANE IS A SECOND HOME FOR SHAY MCNEAL, WITH A SECOND FAMILY SHE CARES FOR NO MATTER WHAT COMES.
A
BY ELIZABETH STURGEON | PHOTOS BY KEITH MCCOY
At Maplewood Lane Assisted Living, birthdays feel like the parties you’d go to growing up. They’re honored with all the surprise and fun that comes with a new year, and no one is left out as residents and staff gather over cake and cheer. Behind the scenes of each celebration, you’ll find Shay McNeal, who joins each Maplewood Lane event with a beaming smile. Louanne Stratton had the chance to attend one of their birthday parties for her mother, Lou, a couple years ago. She remembers everyone together as Shay came behind Lou, setting a birthday cake right in front of her. The simplest and most classic
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way to celebrate became a surprise that meant the world. For more than 15 years, first as a caregiver and now as an administrator, Shay has worked day and night to make sure residents feel at home. “I’m here pretty much every day, making sure everyone is happy and has what they need,” Shay says. “Even if they tried to put me out, I would come to the window and beg to come in. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” Shay has filled the years with overwhelming dedication to her second home at Maplewood Lane in Helena. Though she often praises her team over
herself, Shay is the force that leads them with compassion and has turned the Maplewood Lane community – all 12 employees and 11 residents – into a family. Louanne saw Shay’s kind spirit and dedication immediately when they first met a few years ago. When her mother was ready to move to a new assisted living facility, Shay brought peace into the process. “Shay made it such a good transition,” Louanne says. “From day one, she was so prompt and helpful. Then, once Mom got there, she went out of her way to make sure Mom had everything that she needed.”
