If you live in the Greater Philadelphia area, you likely know of the Genuardi name. In the early 20th century, Italian immigrants Gaspare and Josephine met and married in Norristown. They raised nine children together. The story we’re about to share is not about the family business; it’s about the close-knit family and its love affair with Meadowood. It’s the perfect example of generational living for seniors.

But let’s start at the beginning. Gaspare and Josephine also grew fresh vegetables and sold them door to door, first from a horse and wagon and then from a truck. Years later, five of their sons — known as the Genuardi Brothers — took over the business, opening their first supermarket and eventually expanding the Genuardi supermarket chain in three counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania. In 1990, the Genuardi Brothers sold their business to nine of their children — Charles, Skip, Tom Jr., Anthony, Larry, Joe Jr., David, Michael, and Jim — expanding the business into three states. In 2001, Genuardi Family Markets was sold to Safeway, Inc.

Not only did Charles and Anne Genuardi make Meadowood their home, but so have three of their five children — Josephine (Jim) McCabe, Toni (Jim) Deever, and Father Gasper Genuardi — as well as Charles’ brothers, the late Tom (Gloria, still a resident) and Frank (Valie).

Like her parents, Josephine has  a large family, with five children (all living in the area), 16 grandchildren and 13 great-children — and two more due soon. Josephine is a registered nurse who worked at Sacred Heart. And, like her father, Toni worked in the family store. “I was kind of expected to go into the office,” she says. Another brother followed their father into the business and another sister was a music teacher.

Josephine is the oldest of the three siblings at Meadowood, all in their 80s. If genetics are any indication, it looks like the Genuardi siblings will be enjoying life at Meadowood for many years to come. Their father, Charles, lived to 102. Their uncle, Tom, lived to 100, and Uncle Frank lived to age 98. “My dad was so proud when he was 100 here,” says Josephine. “He had a tie that said ‘100 years’ on it.”

Throughout their years at Meadowood, the Genuardis have become close with other residents and staff. One staff member who has cared for each of the Genuardis is Jackie Delaney, who started at Meadowood as a dining aide. Family members said Charles always shared the Genuardi family values with her: “Find something you love doing and do it good. Do good — and good will come to you.”

Jackie did just that. She worked her way up at Meadowood, working as a floor aide, conducting 1:1 visits, administering personal care, and addressing medical needs with residents, including Charles and Ann. “She was a great caregiver,” Josephine says. “She’s a good person. She was very kind to my parents.”

Sister Toni agrees. “Jackie is amazing. She took care of my dad. When I need resident care, she helps with Jim [her husband]. My parents loved her.”

Jackie was deeply touched when Father Genuardi told her he was blessed that it was she who helped his parents. Father Genuardi also has kind words for the staff member from Kenya known as Mother Mary. “She has stories about my father; always nice to hear,” he says.

Josephine says her parents were happy at Meadowood. Her father was 90 when they moved to Meadowood, and her mother was 87. ““They didn’t want to leave their house,” she says. “They were up there in age … but I think they were glad that they made the move. They seemed content after they arrived. They both always played cards and they did adjust very well.”

She and siblings in the area would come to Meadowood for dinner every Sunday. Josephine says her father would always wear a suit and tie when they would go to dinner. Today the three siblings continue the tradition, going to dinner on Sundays. “It’s a routine,” Josephine says.

Continuing the thread of generational living for seniors, Toni has been living at Meadowood for 20 years. When she and her parents were all living at Meadowood, they would see one another almost every day. 

Toni and Jim have three children, two sons and a daughter, and four grandchildren. The Deevers were very involved at Meadowood until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. They walked regularly, she played ping pong and Jim played pool, and they both volunteered on committees. Toni has volunteered delivering mail and giving water to patients in the health center. She says that when her father was in the health center, he would push the mail cart for her.

Meadowood resident Father Gasper Genuardi — completing the familial thread of generational living for seniors — did not go into the family business. Instead, he devoted his life to the priesthood. He has been ordained 56 years, and is affiliated with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

On occasion he is asked to perform various religious services at Meadowood. Father Genuardi says he has anointed people and previously celebrated mass twice a month. “I had my own little congregation,” he says. He still occasionally works with Meadowood’s chaplains and participates in ecumenical services throughout the year. A recent project he helped with was collecting calendars; the chaplain donated over 400 calendars to prisoners at Christmastime.

Before he retired, Father Genuardi says he used Meadowood as his “retreat” place: He would take a nap, visit his father, grab a bite to eat, and then return home.

Father Genuardi has fond memories of his father at Meadowood. “My father would always go ‘shh be quiet’ and I’d joke, ‘What are you talking about? They’re all deaf like you.” He also remembers that, before drinking was allowed at Meadowood, his father would have pony bottles of beer that he would share with family when they visited.

Today, Father Genuardi still runs into residents who knew his parents and says it “keeps the memories alive.”