Audrey Rauterkus says goodbye to Cinderella during her family reunion at Lutheran SeniorLife Passavant Community on Saturday in Zelienople. The Twilight Wish Foundation honored Rauterkus' memories of Dinsey World by bringing Disney princesses to the event. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle
ZELIENOPLE — There were a few unexpected guests at the Rauterkus family reunion Saturday at Lutheran SeniorLife Passavant Community: Cinderella, Snow White and Mary Poppins.
The princesses dropped by to surprise Audrey Rauterkus, the 88-year-old matriarch of the family, who has been living at Passavant for the past seven years. Sunday was her birthday.
Their visit was arranged by Passavant social worker Megan Migyanko and the Butler chapter of the Twilight Wish Foundation, a national nonprofit organization that grants wishes to seniors who cannot make their own dreams come true or are permanent residents of an eldercare facility.
Rauterkus knew they were coming.
“Somebody slipped,” she said.
She had been to Disney World five times with her late husband and her family and wished to make another trip to the “happiest place on Earth.”
“When we went the first time, it was my daughter’s high school graduation. My husband and I, before he retired, we went — just the two of us,” she said.
“The Magic Kingdom is my favorite part of Disney World,” Rauterkus said. “Cinderella is my favorite. She’s always been my favorite.”
When Rauterkus’ health prevented her from making another trip to Disney World, Migyanko said, “I nominated her for her Twilight Wish to be granted. Audrey wanted to go to Disney World, so this is just as good. This was a big part of her and her husband’s past time.”
Migyanko got in touch with Jean Bowen, president of the Butler Chapter of Twilight Wish, to bring Disney World to Audrey.
Bowen in turn contacted Kristen Kane, an event planner, to arrange for the royal visit.
“I contacted Kristen, we have mutual friends. She would be the go-to person for this event,” Bowen said.
Kane said, “I got in touch with Enchanted Princesses and coordinated with them to get them here. I did the decor and arranged for the Mickey waffles.”
“The princesses were here from 1 to 1:30 p.m. and then they had to go to other events. They were kind enough to squeeze us into their schedule,” Kane said. The princesses left waving to Passavant Community residents along the halls on their way out the door.
The Rauterkus family has been having reunions at Passavant Community since Audrey Rauterkus moved into the facility. Her children, Mary Lee Majewski, of Marshall Township, Allegheny County; Margie Guyer, of West Chester, Pa.; Geri Ann McLaughlin, of Lansdale, Pa.; and Mark Rauterkus, of Pittsburgh, as well as assorted nieces, nephews, grandchildren and in-laws were surprised by the princesses. But the younger members of the family were happy to see the gate-crashers.
“We call it the cousins’ party,” Guyer said. “She’s Princess Audrey.”
The family took Audrey Rauterkus to breakfast on Sunday.
Twilight Wish’s Bowen credited Migyanko for making more than Rauterkus’ wish come true.
“Her social worker asked all the residents ‘If you could have one wish, what would it be?’” Bowen said.
Twilight Wish took one Passavant Community resident to the Strand Theater in Zelienople to see a musical, according to Migyanko.
“Another wanted to visit the house she grew up in and her dad built in Franklin,” Migyanko said. “We did it in style and had a convertible take her up and then take her to Eat’n Park for a family meal.”
Bowen said her group of 10 in the Butler chapter has fulfilled eight wishes so far this year.
“We also have ice cream socials at every one of the senior centers. At Christmas, we adopt about 30 seniors referred to us by the Area Agency on Aging,” she said.
Marie Schuster adds toppings to Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles during the Rauterkus family reunion at Lutheran SeniorLife Passavant Community on Saturday in Zelienople. Schuster is good friends with Audrey Rauterkus, who made a wish with the Twilight Wish Foundation to bring Disney princesses to the event. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle
Audrey Rauterkus gets her picture taken with Disney princess characters during her family reunion at Lutheran SeniorLife Passavant Community on Saturday in Zelienople. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle
Mary Poppins, Snow White and Cinderella wave to residents at Lutheran SeniorLife Passavant Community on Saturday in Zelienople. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle
Disney characters decorate a table during the Rauterkus family reunion at Lutheran SeniorLife Passavant Community on Saturday in Zelienople. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle
