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Aug. 19, 2010

Baseball Loving Grandparents to Throw First Pitch at Beavers Game, August 20

Oregon City Residents to Join Six Grandchildren in Throwing First Pitch at Beavers Game vs. the Round Rock Express 

PORTLAND, Ore. – On August 20th, Marquis Care at Oregon City skilled nursing residents Gary Duncan and Suzee Wenhuli will help in throwing the first pitch as the Portland Beavers take on Texas’ Round Rock Express.  Gary and Suzee have been chosen to participate in this time honored baseball tradition in celebration of Grandparents Day at PGE Park. Fans of the all-American game for most of their lives, each have unique stories that revolve around the sport and how it has played an integral part in their lives. The event, facilitated by Marquis Care Oregon City, part of Marquis Companies, a skilled nursing, assisted living and home health care company, and its New Chapters Program will start at 7:05pm on Friday, Aug. 20th. The New Chapters Program at Marquis encourages employees to listen to the dreams and hopes of residents and then work towards the realization of these, often life-long, aspirations. 

The All-Star from Camas
Gary Duncan attended high school at Camas High School in Camas, Wash. where he was named All-State baseball player of the year. Gary then went on to play college baseball for the Clark Community College Penguins in Vancouver, Washington where he was discovered by minor league scouts who invited Gary to play for the Buffalo Bisons in Bismarck, ND. Gary played as the 3rd baseman and pitcher for two years for the Bisons where he was known for his line drives and walk off homeruns. In 1966, Gary was ready to settle down and married Valieta with whom he had three children and two step children. When asked by members of Marquis staff what his dream was he simply replied, “To take my grandchildren to a baseball game.” Now 65 years old, Gary is called “grandpa” by five grandchildren, three of which will attend the baseball game with this lifelong fan.

A Lifetime Sport
Growing up in the forties meant that there weren’t many opportunities for girls that loved baseball as much as Suzee. Not letting that stop her, Suzee would join all boy pick-up games and hit the ball with the best of them, refusing to let gender differences keep her from the love of the game. Later in life Suzee heard about another opportunity that she couldn’t pass up when the city of Maupin, Ore. was in need of a softball coach in 1969. Suzee coached for the city of Maupin for more than 30 years, often toting her two children and three grandchildren along to see her players at their best. Suzee will be joined by her three grandchildren at PGE’s Grandparent’s Day event.

About Marquis Companies
Marquis Companies provide skilled nursing, long-term care, assisted living and memory care throughout its 26 facilities in Oregon, California, Montana, Idaho and Nevada.  Marquis’ sister company, Consonus, provides pharmacy, rehabilitation, staffing and consulting to the long term care community. Both family-owned companies share the mission to promote the vitality within everyone each company serves and its employees – and created its Vital Life Foundation to fulfill that mission.