When Lillian Matthews, 96, of Phoenixville was headed out to the field at a Reading Fightin Phils game at FirstEnergy Stadium recently to throw out the first pitch, she was nervous, but excited.
“They said I did pretty good, but I didn’t do as well as I wanted,” she said, adding she practiced a bit at home before the big moment.
Regardless, she was happy to have her buddies from the Phoenixville Area Senior Center and some members of her family there to take in the moment, as well as the game afterward.
Growing up in a small town in Tennessee, she recalled playing baseball in the front yard and later joined the softball team in high school. Her aunt and uncle got her interested in watching professional baseball.
“I thought we were going to a little game somewhere and we went to this huge stadium,” she said. “I saw all of these guys out there, and I fell in love with their maroon and gold uniforms.”
Fell in love with the Phillies
Her first minor league experience later led to the majors after she and her husband moved to Philadelphia when he was transferred there for work.
“I totally fell in love with the Phillies after seeing them play a few times,” she said. “I like to see them get runs — home runs especially — and to win games.”
Matthews attended two to four Philadelphia Phillies games a year for work before retiring in her 80s.
“I worked with an organization for the blind, and I would drive the blind residents to the games and they would listen to the game as it was happening on their transistor radios,” she said.
Last year, through Twilight Wish, which grants wishes to seniors, Matthews’ wish was to take a large number of members from the Center to a game, and her wish was granted. Her motivation to ask for this wish was to enable others to have the experience of attending a game.
“I want to make people happy and that makes me happy,” she said. “Even if one person had as good of a time as I did, that makes me happy.”
Dine and help out
Matthews lives with her daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Michael Tweed. Almost every day, she and her daughter head to the Phoenixville Senior Center to participate in various activities, attend lectures, play bingo, dine and help out.
At first she was resistant to going when she started seven years ago, but over time she warmed up to it.
“As you get older you need that companionship,” she said. “Every day has something to look forward to.”
Matthews usually has lunch at the Center and sometimes breakfast. She most enjoys tasks that allow her to help out at the Center
“We fold the newsletters to send out in the mail,” she said.
They also fold silverware in napkins.
Sense of purpose
Joann McCracken, the Center’s director of development, said the Center gives Matthews a sense of purpose, including her serving as the unofficial ambassador of the Center.
“When anybody new comes in, she’s always happy to talk to them about the ins and outs of the Center,” McCracken said.
Next month, Matthews plans to start taking their exercise classes again.
“They also have line dancing, yoga, grief counseling, cards, games, and they have these health talks by the Phoenixville Hospital that talks about everything you’d want to know about your health,” Matthews said.
She also attends their monthly birthday socials and movie screenings.
“They showed ‘Oppenheimer’ and have other good movies,” she said.
Gratitude for the staff
Matthews expressed gratitude for the staff at the Center.
“The staff works so hard to make everything possible for us and to make sure all of us are comfortable,” she said. “They are all so friendly, the meals are great, and they have a wonderful chef.”
It wasn’t until she was in her 80s that Matthews said she began having some health issues, but she refers to them as “nothing serious,” and that aside from those, her balance and walking are challenges she faces.
She gets around using a walker, which helps her safely engage in the things she enjoys doing daily.
“I worked until 88, which kept me alert,” she said. “I’m not a person who can sit still a lot.”
Matthews wants to encourage anyone who might be curious to head in and take a tour at the Center.
“They can come in and learn about everything it offers,” she said. “The Center has really helped me get enjoyment out of living.”
More information
• Phoenixville Senior Center: www.phoenixvilleseniorcenter.org
• About Twilight Wish: You can submit a wish request for yourself or a deserving senior by completing a Twilight Wish application. To find out more, visit www.twilightwish.org.
