Ponte Vedra Gardens celebrated its Senior Prom on July 3 with the crowning of their king and queen, which this year was a couple that proves love can be found regardless of age.
Dorothy Reckling, 90 years old, and Tom McCarty, 85 years old, met as residents at Ponte Vedra Gardens and have since created a bond that is inseparable.
Both are battling with Alzheimer’s Disease, but their connection has helped them heal in more ways than one.
Dorothy has been a resident at Ponte Vedra Gardens for about four years, and her husband of 67 years died last July, so it was a tough time for the family.
Tom moved in about a year ago and he was going through some tough times himself as he did not want to come out of his room very often and really secluded himself.
“He used to be social before the disease, but he became very reclusive, and he was just happy being by himself, but now that’s completely changed and he’s never in his room,” said Susan Hyatt, Tom’s daughter.
The two met last summer on the grounds at Ponte Vedra Gardens and they do everything together now.
“They think they’re married, and at first she would even talk to me like a schoolgirl about Tom and how she liked him,” said Kim Penado, Dorothy’s daughter. “They are just very sweet together, always holding hands and kissing.”
According to Hyatt, her father dealt with some serious health issues last year and she moved him to Ponte Vedra Gardens from South Carolina.
The connection that Dorothy and Tom have developed has also gone a long way in helping them pull out of the difficult times they have faced.
“From our family’s perspective, Dorothy saved him (Tom) because he was really going downhill,” Hyatt said. “Dorothy and this amazing facility have really brought him back to life and I can’t say enough about them. It’s such a sweet love story that they have.”
The theme of this year’s Senior Prom at Ponte Vedra Gardens was “Over the Rainbow,” as many of the staff dressed up as Wizard of Oz characters and the dining room reflected the “Emerald City,” with the shade of green resonating throughout.
