"I was a late bloomer. But anyone who blooms at all, ever is very lucky."-Award-winning American poet, Sharon Olds
Gladys Pavese wasn't a late bloomer but one of her beloved orchids failed to blossom despite how much care it received.
The cherished married mother nurtured by nature. Pavese was a nurse for nearly 40-years. Her family, her patients and her precious orchids came first. After dedicating her life to everyone but herself, Pavese's family looked forward to her enjoying a long and relaxing retirement.
However, Pavese passed away unexpectedly just after turning 61 in December of 2023. As her family grieved, her son Nick couldn't help but notice a surprising change.
"She loved her orchids," Nick Pavese said. "Not long after she passed, that quiet orchid finally did (bloom). It felt like her way of showing she was still with us. That moment became the inspiration behind 'The Orchid Legacy.' The orchid symbolizes resilience, patience, and enduring love. The word legacy represents the lasting impact nurses leave on the lives they touch every single day. The Orchid Legacy exists to honor that impact and carry it forward."
Gladys Pavese lives on through the aptly named "The Orchid Legacy." The Orchid Legacy’s mission is to provide financial aid that eases the burdens nurses face, support their professional growth and education, assist with student loan relief, fund essential work supplies, and offer access to affordable mental health services.
The Orchid Legacy will host its second annual "All in for Nurses Casino Night" fundraiser December 5 at Porta. There will be games, craps, roulette and blackjack, food and drinks to support the nursing initiative in Gladys Pavese's name.
Helping with scholarships and easing other financial burdens will provide a boost. But assisting with the mental health aspect, which is often overlooked in the world of health care, is essential. There's typically a heavy emotional toll on nurses, who deal with life and death on a daily basis. Nick Pavese not only experienced that with his mother but also with his wife, Brielle and sister-in-law, who are angels of mercy.
"It's not an easy job," Pavese said. "It's not easy when people die. When someone dies that person just doesn't disappear. More work has to be done.You have to clean the person who passed away for decency and respect. You have to deal with the emotional part of the equation. You connect with the family that is grieving. On the other side there are some super highs when it comes to being a nurse but there are some super lows. It's a roller coaster and the nurses, who support everyone, need as much mental health support as possible."
Nursing helped the Pavese family live the American dream. Both of Pavese's parents arrived as immigrants. Gladys Pavese was from Argentina and his father, Nick Pavese, is from Italy.
"It worked out for both of my parents," Pavese said. "My mother was so happy being a nurse. She was a wonderful person. I can't tell you how thankful I was that I'm her son."
Pavese decided to pay tribute to her shortly after his mother passed away. "I literally was inspired while sitting in front of my wife," Pavese said. "We were putting photos together on a poster board and I thought about my parents as immigrants. They believed in the American dream. I thought about how I could pay tribute to my mother. She deserved so much. She was such a wonderful person."
Nick Pavese, who is the CEO of The Social Rift, always hoped to surprise his mother with a fantastic gift for being a terrific mother and a dedicated nurse.
"I wanted to buy my mother a car one day, a Mercedes with a bow on it," Pavese said. "She deserved it. I can't get her that car but if I can help out one nurse, well, that would make me happy."
The Ocean Gate resident is helping in tremendous fashion. The Orchid Legacy has three major categories. The non-profit is helping with scholarships for those in nursing programs. And then there are those receiving grants who have graduated, who need support with items such as scrubs and shoes. The aforementioned mental health support is the final part of the support troika.
"It's about giving back," Pavese said.
Pavese could have the casino night closer to home but he's committed to holding the event in Asbury Park.
"I love Asbury Park," Pavese said. "I worked in Asbury Park until COVID hit. I ran into my old manager at Porta and we ended up doing the casino night there last year and it's such a great place and so we're back and want to continue giving back in Asbury Park."
If anyone has a positive experience with a nurse, they can nominate the nurse on www.theorchidlegacy.org/nominate
It's not an easy job.It's not easy when people die. When someone dies that person just doesn't disappear. More work has to be done.You have to clean the person who passed away for decency and respect.