08/10/2026
Congratulations to Fairway View caregiver Bree DeNeui on receiving the Care Extraordinaire Award from Elder Voice Advocates! Bree is only the third person to receive this special recognition, which honors caregivers who demonstrate exceptional compassion, dedication, and commitment to those they serve. We are proud to celebrate Bree's outstanding care and the meaningful impact she has made.
Bree was nominated by the Nornes family, represented by Jackie Nornes, daughter of Roger and Barb Nornes. Below is Jackie’s nomination recognizing Bree. (You can also watch the award presentation at this link: https://youtu.be/5r328bahb7o)
From Jackie Nornes:
Sometimes, someone enters your life and changes your understanding of what compassionate care truly means. They turn kindness into action and make strangers feel like family. For us, that person was Bree De Neui, CNA.
For more than two years, Bree cared for my father at Fairway View Senior Communities in Ortonville, Minnesota, where he lived with Alzheimer's disease. Her warmth, patience, and joy left a lasting impression on my father and everyone who loved him. Coming from a family devoted to elder care, Bree truly embodies service, dignity, and respect.
Bree says, “Everyone deserves dignity and respect. I just treat residents as I would want to be treated. This is always in the front of my mind. They give back to me so much. They become like family to me.”
She lives out those words through her calm, gentle, and joyful presence with residents. This kind of genuine care can’t be taught; it comes from within and is nurtured through family and faith.
Bree finds creative ways to connect with residents one-on-one. Sometimes she took all of my dad’s socks out of his drawer, and together they would “shoot hoops.” Once, while encouraging him to go to bed, she climbed into the bed herself to show him how comfortable it was.
She looked for opportunities to bring residents peace, happiness, and comfort. When someone was struggling, she offered reassurance, a hug, or simply held their hand. When my father sang as he walked down the hall with his walker, she joined in, laughed with him, and shared his joy.
Near the end, Bree came in on her day off because she knew my dad was declining. She stayed with him until family arrived. She told him she loved him, and for the first time, he replied, “I love you too.” Those were his final words.
Bree later wrote our family a heartfelt letter. Saying it touched our hearts does not do it justice. She knew him as we did: grateful, caring, loyal, and kind. She once said he was like a grandpa to her, as he was to so many.
We will always be grateful for Bree’s exceptional care. My mother, who passed away in November 2025 after nearly 70 years of marriage to my father, often shared how thankful she was for his caregivers and frequently mentioned Bree.
I also want to recognize all the dedicated caregivers at Fairway View Senior Communities who cared for both of my parents. We are deeply grateful. Our family, and the Ortonville community, are truly fortunate.
At just 19 years old, Bree is already making an extraordinary difference in the lives of older adults and their families. She is studying social work and plans to dedicate her career to gerontology. The future of caregiving is brighter because of compassionate young professionals like Bree.
With Greatest Respect,
Jackie Nornes
Daughter of Roger and Barb Nornes
