Woven with Love: Emma Mongold’s 30-Year Journey with E.A. Hawse Healthcare Center

At E.A. Hawse Healthcare Center in Baker, WV, community and care go hand in hand—and no one embodies that spirit more than Emma Mongold. For more than 30 years, Emma has been part of the E.A. Hawse family, first as a dedicated volunteer and now as a beloved resident.

Emma began volunteering alongside her sister, a long-time nurse at the center. Together, they brought joy to residents calling bingo, singing, dressing up as clowns, and even arranging special events including an Elvis impersonator for a resident’s birthday. “We did a lot of laughing that day,” Emma recalled. “People talked about it for months.”

Her creativity knows no bounds. From crocheting blankets, scarves and hats, to making Easter bunnies out of orange juice boxes, Emma has poured her love into every handmade gift. When asked why she got into crocheting, Emma said, “It was a warm hobby.” After breaking her hip, it became a way to stay busy while healing and still give back. She made hats, scarves, and blankets, even donated some to the homeless in Washington, D.C. One Christmas, she created table centerpieces and crocheted a blanket for every resident. “The residents were surprised and very happy, even the staff appreciated it,” she shared.

Now a resident herself, Emma remains an active, encouraging presence. “The transition was easy,” she said. “Everyone made me feel at home.” When Emma first arrived at the center after breaking her hip, she came in on a stretcher but quickly set a goal for herself: “I’ll give you 19 days to get me walking, and I’m going home.” With the support of the rehab team and her own determination, she worked hard every day to meet that goal. She succeeded, walking out just in time to spend Christmas with her family. A few years later, Emma returned to E.A. Hawse for long-term care.

Family is at the core of Emma’s life and E.A. Hawse Healthcare Center’s values. Her nephew works in the kitchen, her sister still visits, and 15 family members joined her for Thanksgiving at the center. As her granddaughter Olive faced cancer, the E.A. Hawse team hosted a lasagna dinner fundraiser for the community. “That meant a lot,” Emma said. “This place is one big family.”

Whether offering advice to staff or simply wiping a fellow resident’s nose without hesitation, Emma continues to serve with humility. “Never make yourself better than anyone,” she said. “That’s volunteering. It’s not helping some, it’s helping all.” Kasey Waldron, activities supervisor at E.A. Hawse, describes Emma’s presence as one of “leadership, advocacy and support,” adding that even on her hardest days, “she stays positive and always puts others first.”

Emma Mongold’s decades of love, service and generosity are woven into the very culture of E.A. Hawse Healthcare Center. Her latest project—a quilt created for National Skilled Nursing Care Week—carries the same thoughtfulness. Inspired by her great-granddaughter Olive, who helped choose the colors, the quilt continues Emma’s tradition of creating handmade gifts for life’s milestones. She plans to display it during the week’s celebration for all to enjoy. Emma reminds us that true community is not just about living together, but about caring deeply for one another, every single day.