A long-term care centre isn’t a typical setting for nuptials, but Donald Berman Maimonides Geriatric Centre was filled with balloons and well-wishers recently as two residents tied the knot.
Randi Ellen Margolis and Jan Edgar married on September 28 before about 60 guests, including relatives, friends, staff members and the Mayor of Côte Saint-Luc, Mitchell Brownstein.
The Maimonides synagogue was decorated with flowers and white balloons while musicians performed in a festive and joyous atmosphere.
The couple’s love story unfolded over the course of a decade. They first met at Caldwell Terrace Apartments, a building next door to Maimonides in Côte Saint-Luc, and got engaged eight years ago. Health problems forced Mr. Edgar to move into Maimonides in 2023, and Ms. Margolis followed this year, settling in only a few doors away on the seventh floor.
Ms. Margolis says she and Mr. Edgar wanted to make their union official. “We’re older now, but our love is stronger than ever. He adores me and I adore him and that’s all that matters,” she said.
“I asked her (to marry me) eight years ago and she said ‘Yes,’” said Mr. Edgar. “So it’s time—it’s past due.”
Nazish Khimani, the seventh-floor’s Head Nurse at Maimonides, paid tribute to the pair’s love story.
“As the couple’s journey unfolded, every moment became a testament to love’s ability to endure, to heal, and to bring people together in the most unexpected ways.”
Nazish Khimani, seventh-floor Head Nurse
“It’s been a truly beautiful experience to witness and be part of something so meaningful by helping to ensure that both residents’ love story finds its fairytale ending,” added Ms. Khimani, who attended the ceremony, along with Jennifer Clarke and Hetal Patel, respectively Director and Associate Director of SAPA – Long Term Care.
Organizing a wedding at Maimonides is no small feat, but as the Coordinator of Recreology, Josie Di Benedetto, points out, “Everyone was really excited about the event and happy to help make sure everything went smoothly.”
Karima El Bouhali, Site Manager at Maimonides, calls the wedding historic, adding that it was only natural for the entire Maimonides community to rally together for the event. “For staff, contributing to such a celebration is not only an honour, but also a reminder of the deeper meaning of our work: bringing happiness and meaning to the daily lives of our residents.”