Oakwood Grange arrange a special Valentine’s Day

A Barnsley care home resident and her husband were treated to a special Valentine’s Day celebration organised by the care team on Monday 14 February.

Margaret and Alan Cooke met at age 14 and 16 respectively and have been married for 68 years. Margaret has dementia and has lived in our Oakwood Grange care home for nearly five years. Her devoted husband Alan, who lives in Applehaigh View, visits her almost every day. During times when visitors were not allowed in care homes due to COVID-19 restrictions, he would come to drop off cakes, drinks and other gifts for her.

This Valentine’s Day, to treat the couple after the challenging times presented by the pandemic, our dedicated care home team organised a romantic meal to give the couple a special celebration of their love. 

Dawn Paley, Manager of Oakwood Grange, said: 

It was so lovely to see Margaret and Alan together. The change in Margaret when she sees Alan is remarkable – her face and mood positively lights up when he’s near. It really shows what the power of love can do.

Margaret and Alan were married at Carlton Church in 1954 and moved to Applehaigh View in 1986.  They had two children, as well as four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The couple especially enjoyed dancing and travelling together, visiting many countries throughout their lives including Malaysia, Thailand, Canada and Antigua. They would frequently holiday in Tenerife and take camping trips with their family.

Alan Cooke said: 

I can’t thank the care team at Oakwood Grange enough for the thought and effort put into this day. It has been fantastic and to be able to share this time with Margaret has been very special. It gives me great comfort to know that my wife is receiving such excellent and thoughtful care.

Hilary McDaid, Margaret and Alan’s daughter, said: 

I’m so grateful that my Mum and Dad got to spend such a lovely Valentine’s Day together. Theirs is a true love story and they have been devoted to each other for many, many years. Alan is my Mum’s one true love. He still makes her smile whenever they are together.

For more information on Oakwood Grange care home please visit here.