Bouquets of Easter lilies helped to spread a little joy to seniors in nursing homes this week.

Tinee Furbert, the Minister of Social Development and Seniors, Ianthia Simmons-Wade, a Progressive Labour Party MP, and Kristin Burt, the wife of the Premier, David Burt, presented the flowers yesterday.

The bouquets were handed out at Westmeath Residential and Nursing Care Home, the Packwood Home and the Dorothy Crane Nursing Home.

Mrs Burt said: “The unique traditions that we celebrate during our holiday occasions are the foundations which bind us together.

“Easter lilies, kite flying, hot cross buns and fishcakes are iconic, cultural symbolisms of our Good Friday holiday.

“I was delighted to join Minister Furbert and MP Simmons-Wade in visiting our precious elders at the various nursing homes and present them with Easter lilies.

“We were able to spend some brief time at each facility where we extended our appreciation to our seniors, and to those who oversee these facilities.”

She added: “The last two years of the pandemic have been particularly difficult, especially for those in our seniors’ homes, and this was a way of doing something in the spirit of the Easter holiday to spread a measure of good will.

“We wanted to let them know that we are thinking of them and to wish them a happy Good Friday and Easter holiday.”

Ms Furbert said: “With Bermuda opening back up and recognising that many of our seniors have been isolated and shielded for a period of time, this was important.

“So, it was a pleasure to join Mrs Burt and MP Simmons-Wade to visit and connect with our seniors.

“Easter always brings renewed hope, faith and love, and sharing these Easter bouquets was our way of spreading some joy. And it was wonderful to see the smiles that our small gift brought to our seniors’ faces.

“We must remember there is still an appreciation and need for socialisation in every aspect of our lives and we must never forget our seniors.

“On behalf of the ministry, I wish all of Bermuda a safe and blessed Easter weekend.”

Mrs Burt and Ms Furbert thanked the management, nursing and support staff of all the island’s seniors’ homes.

Special thanks were given to April Augustus, the executive director at Westmeath, Karen Mitchell, an administrator at the Packwood Home, and Naandira Muhammad, at the Dorothy Crane Home, for the visits this week.