Staff Spotlight: Cathie Mesina
Activities Coordinator, Florence & Chafetz Home for Specialized Care
If you’ve ever wondered where the energy, laughter, and creativity at Florence & Chafetz come from, chances are Cathie Mesina is behind it. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Cathie moved to Massachusetts in 2001 at age 26 to marry her high school sweetheart, Dennis, who has worked the Leonard Florence Center for the past 15 years. Together they’ve made their home in Revere for 16 years, raising two daughters—Ella, a college junior, and Isabel, a high school sophomore. Their lively household also includes Chewie, an 8-year-old Shih Tzu, three guppies, two snails, and an impressive collection of bonsai trees. “There’s never a dull moment,” Cathie says with a laugh.
Cathie’s professional journey began in hospitality—a dream fueled by her love of people, service, and creating memorable experiences. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management and built an impressive career working with world-class brands, including the Ritz-Carlton in Singapore, Marriott in Cebu City, and 20 years at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, where she held seven different roles.
When the pandemic forced the hotel to close, Cathie found herself at a crossroads. What initially felt like a setback quickly became a career turning point. In 2021, she joined Florence & Chafetz as an Activities Coordinator—and knew she had found her calling.
“There’s no going back to hospitality for me,” she says. “My residents are my VIP guests, and caring for them is the most rewarding experience of my career.” Now in her fourth year at Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, Cathie coordinates activities at Florence & Chafetz and also assists with Low-Income Housing Certification for Admiral Hill Estates. Her favorite part of the job: the residents!
“Every day feels like spending time at Grandma’s house,” explains Cathie. “We laugh, connect and try to find creative ways to bring joy into their day. I love turning small moments into meaningful memories and honoring the beautiful lives they’ve lived.”
One experience early in her career profoundly shaped Cathie’s approach to care. While working in memory care, she connected with a resident who could be challenging and a bit disruptive during activities. As Cathie learned more about her, she discovered the resident had been well traveled, played guitar, and even co-authored art books.
“Seeing such a brilliant person lose pieces of her identity to dementia was heartbreaking,” Cathie reflects. “It taught me that every resident deserves dignity and respect, especially at this stage of life.” Since then, Cathie focuses on connecting with what remains — finding sparks from residents’ pasts and letting compassion lead the way.
Cathie’s activities are known for being fun, inclusive, and sneakily effective. “If you’re kicking or catching a ball, you don’t even realize you’re exercising,” she explains. She enjoys using everyday items and a little friendly competition to keep residents engaged, active, and smiling.
When it comes to celebrations, Cathie has favorites across cultures. Purim tops her list of Jewish holidays. “Who doesn’t love dressing up and eating lots of hamantaschen?” she exclaims. Thanksgiving is her favorite American holiday for its focus on family and gratitude while Christmas in the Philippines holds a special place in her heart.
Outside of work, Cathie is a creative homebody. She dances while cleaning, cooks and bakes with her daughters, and enjoys making art, everything from watercolor and acrylic painting to simple doodles. A fun fact many people don’t know: Cathie was part of a folk dance group as a teenager and later performed in theater, even playing Cosette in Les Misérables at the Metropolitan Theater of the Philippines.
Today Cathie is excited about the possibility of nursing school —another step in her journey of caring for others. With her deep respect for the residents and staff, Cathie Mesina brings heart to everything she does —and Florence & Chafetz is all the better for it.
