2 days ago
One last ride: 98-year-old woman with dementia honored with ‘Gift of a Day' in Massillon
MASSILLON, Ohio (WJW) — It was a special day for 98-year-old Bernice Davis, who rode a motorcycle for the first time in years with her son Dale Cordia — one of the highlights of her 'Gift of a Day' celebration coordinated by Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care.
For decades, 'Miss B' rode her motorcycle freely — the wind on her skin and in her hair, her late husband at her side. The two were married in a motorcycle wedding, followed by a 30-day honeymoon ride.
WATCH: Black bear follows elderly woman through her neighborhood
'It's peaceful,' Davis said. 'When I get on that (motorcycle), everything quiets down. I just wish my husband was here. I'd give anything to have him here.'
Bernice has dementia, and each day gets tougher. She is living out her days at the Inn at University Village in Massillon, an assisted living facility.
'Miss B was actually one of my very first residents that I moved in when I started here — so she's very near and dear to me,' said Ashley Heldt, community director at the Inn at University Village. 'Her stories from back in the day that she loves to tell — she's sharp as a tack when it comes to that. The things day to day become frustrating for those with dementia, but the stories and things they remember are amazing.'
To honor this lifelong rider, Crossroads' Gift of a Day program coordinated a stream of a dozen or so motorcycles to ride for Miss B on Thursday.
'The ultimate goal is to make Bernice smile and have the best day of her life,' said Rhonda Kissner, Crossroads Hospice Gift of a Day coordinator.
Kentucky man got banned from a bar, so he let a raccoon loose inside and it bit someone: Police
Miss B's son, Dale Cordia, said getting his mom on a bike one more time means the world.
'She's been down and out with this dementia and stuff,' Cordia said. 'This really perks her up and I'm happy for her.'
Miss B was overjoyed by the surprise.
'It's been marvelous, people couldn't have done any better,' Davis said. 'They worked hard.'
She said she never thought she'd ride again — and that she did well.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
