There’s no place like home
92-year-old Katrina victim finds 2nd home in Somerville
by Andrea Gregory

The storm was coming. Virlie Guidry knew she would have to leave the day before a large bus showed up to carry her to safety. It was just the start of a week long trip. She was one of the many praying and hoping to escape Hurricane Katrina – a storm that has already claimed the lives of many and displaced more than 1 million people. For 92-year-old Guidry, making her way to Somerville would be one of the greatest journeys of her life.

She arrived on Sunday, carrying two floral, canvas bags. Everything she now owned was with her. Many photographs, keepsakes and her home had to be left behind. She said the one thing she wishes she could have brought was a painting of the house she grew up in. Every day the painting brought her fond memories of her childhood, and Guidry knows there will never be another one like it.

Guidry had been living at Little Sisters of the Poor – an elderly residential facility – in New Orleans. The Little Sisters of the Poor is an international organization with 31 U.S. locations. All 75 elderly residents were evacuated for the New Orleans home on Aug. 28.

Guidry said everyone in the area was trying to leave at the same time. Bumper-to-bumper traffic meant a nine-hour trip to Baton Rouge, La.

"Normally, we would have been there in two and a half hours," she said. "People were nervous. Yes, indeed. I was thinking about getting to a safe place and hoping it would be a Little Sisters place."

Relying on the help of benefactors, transportation including a private jet to was arranged to get Little Sister residents out of harms way. Celine Therese, the mother superior in Somerville, said bringing their elderly residents close to family members was a top goal in their relief efforts. "Because we care for the elderly as we care for Jesus," she said.

Guidry was the only one to come Massachusetts. Her grandchildren live in Braintree, and she could not be happier to be here, said Therese.

Therese and the staff at Little Sisters in Somerville say they are delighted to witness a happy ending to Guidry’s story. A welcome sign hung in the front lobby this week and everyone who talked about her arrival smiled as they told her story.

Sister Beatrice Mary picked Guidry up from the airport. She said the Guidry was "full of smiles and had tears in her eyes."

"It was just a joy to be able to welcome her," said Mary, adding "She really looked like someone coming for help."

Guidry said she feels like she is home now and does not plan on going anywhere. "I’m at peace. I guess the good Lord guided me here," she said with a tired southern accent. "If they keep me, I’m willing to stay."

"She is staying," said Mother Therese.

The sisters are a bit anxious to see Gruidry Medicare and Medicade approved. Since these are state services they do not automatically transfer.

Jeanne Amlaw, in accounts receivable, made some calls to start the application process, but now comes the waiting.

"We don’t know yet. We are applying for assistance from the state," said Amlaw.

"The sisters are hoping the Medicare and Medicade will be very cordial and pay what is due to her and what she deserves," said Therese.

Therese said it would be too much for Gruidry to move again, and there is no telling when the New Orleans based Little Sisters might reopen. A broken skylight and windows invited flooding and other destruction caused by one devastating natural disasters to hit the United States.