News

Athens Creek residents throw surprise party
for twin sisters of management

July 19th, 2019

Donna McBeth is the General Manager of Points West Living Athens Creek in Penticton, and her twin sister, Debbie Ellchuck is the community’s head of housekeeping. The twins turned 65 on July 11, and residents, along with other employee care partners, decided to throw them a surprise birthday party.

Fun and meaningful event

A week earlier, a handful of residents had approached recreation coordinator Ellie Bertrand about celebrating the twins’ birthday, and decided on an afternoon surprise party, and quickly pulled together a fun and meaningful event.

“The celebration was MC’d by resident Barbara Jensen, and was peppered with personal touches contributed by Athens Creek residents,” says Ellie. “They found a photo of the twins as little girls and gave them each a framed copy, and residents Ed Propp, Audrey Ross, and Jessie Smythe created a card for each birthday girl, and got all residents to sign both cards.” And of course, there was cake.

No one could tell us apart

“The birthday celebration was a total surprise,” says Donna. “They had a birthday cake with both of our pictures on it; then they ate my picture and left Debbie’s. They gave us a picture of us when we were 3 years old. Debbie was blowing out the candles and I was overseeing it. I have always been the dominating one in the family, even though she is 2 minutes older than me. When we were younger she could stay out ½ hour longer than me. In school we always dressed alike so no one could tell us apart.”

Donna says she and Debbie reconnected as adults in 2000 when they both moved to Penticton. About that time, Donna started working at Athens Creek, becoming General Manager nine years later. Debbie joined the housekeeping team ia few years later, and is now the head of housekeeping.

Close again

After her husband of 42 years passed away in November of 2018 following a lengthy illness, Donna says she and Debbie have become closer. “I have time now to spend with her. We do lunches on the lake and dinners at her place,” Donna says. “And Debbie does not drive, so I take her shopping every Saturday.”

Are they thinking of retirement? “Maybe Debbie will in the next couple of years,” says Donna, “but not for a few years for me.”

Photo: Twin sisters Donna McBeth and Debbie Ellchuck share their 65th birthday together with residents and employee care partners at PWL Athens Creek in Penticton. Donna is the community’s GM, and Debbie is head of housekeeping.