“I play for the Lord” Verna Sherick
“Share your talents” is the advice Personal Care Resident Verna Sherick gives when reflecting on the gifts she has been given in life. Ninety-seven years young, Verna has been living at Pleasant View for roughly five years now in Personal Care. She can often be found around campus playing the various pianos for all to hear or in Hoffer Auditorium on Tuesdays playing music entirely by memory. Verna began taking piano lessons at the age of seven and continued with them until she was thirteen. Her piano teacher would have her memorize the music she would play, which helped her to become a very fluent piano player. After she stopped her lessons, Verna continued to play the piano as well as the organ. She also played the Glockenspiel in the Colombia High School Marching Band, graduating in 1944. Always passionate about music, Verna never doubted if she wanted to continue or not. She was involved in her church regularly playing the piano and singing in the choir with the mission to play for the Lord. She has always loved playing for others with some of her favorite songs to play being He Lives and Stardust. A mother of four, Verna carried on her love of music to her children, each of them starting off with piano and learning other instruments as well. When asked what one of her favorite memories of playing the piano was, Verna recalls when she was on vacation in the 1950’s. At a restaurant with a baby grand piano that was sitting unplayed, Verna asked permission to play for the restaurant. Starting off with Chopsticks to make the restaurant staff question if they made a mistake or not, Verna then branched on to play Stardust as well as other songs for the restaurant to hear. Today, Verna plans to use the gift that the Lord gave her to entertain others here on campus. With the help of her merry heart, she hopes to continue putting a smile on people’s faces through her music.
-written by Payton Shoenfelt
If you are a loved one in need of assistance with daily tasks in the home, Pleasant View’s Personal Care Facilities might be the choice for you. Pleasant View’s Personal Care provides staff availability 24 hours a day, helping with activities of daily living, medication administration, housekeeping, and provision of three balanced daily meals. To learn more visit pvcommunities.org/personal-care or call 717-664-6506.
