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Buena G.
WISE Adult Day Center
Born in 1922, in Salonika, Greece, Buena is a vivacious
woman who asserts that she is "25 at heart!"
For years, she relied on her husband; now she relies
on her only son.
WISE has given Buena
" a big family!"
Born of Jewish heritage, Buena experienced danger and
persecution during WWII. Early in the war, she left
Salonika with her fiancé, Manuel, to go into
hiding in Athens, where they married in 1943. After
the war, Buena and Manuel came to the U.S., believing
that "one is only free in America." They learned
English and found work. Buena opened an alterations
store in San Francisco, and sewing became her passion.
In 1965, they moved to Venice Beach, where they owned
a grocery store until Manuel became ill in 1971. She
continued sewing, mending the clothes of many famous
actresses.
When Manuel died, Buena moved to West Hollywood
to live with her son, Mair. He works long hours as a
security guard. With her need for companionship and
failing memory, WISE Adult Day Service Center was the
answer. WISE has given Buena "a big family!"
Buena has been physically strong and active all her
life, and the daily exercise classes help to keep her
mobile and fit. She also seeks out opportunities to
continue to sew, and she took great pride in sewing
together the sections made by other participants to
complete a quilt.
 Now,
Buena has two goals in life: to keep coming to WISE
and to have her son marry.
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