The Little Things

Dedicated and Compassionate: Erin Pelletier’s Journey in Nursing and Community

Featuring Erin Pelletier
Written by: Marikate Lynch, Administrator

Erin Pelletier has been a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Essex Meadows Health Center since November 2013. Her journey into the field of nursing assistants happened by chance. While living in Massachusetts, Erin’s mother-in-law, a nurse at a local nursing home, introduced her to a program offering free CNA classes. The only requirement was to work at the facility for four months—but Erin stayed for four years, discovering a deep passion for the work.

After moving to Chester, CT, Erin continued working in local nursing homes until she found Essex Meadows in 2013. She never looked back. “Essex Meadows is the best place I have ever worked,” she says. “The employees are professional, and the residents receive the utmost care.”

Erin is known for her calm and patient approach, making her especially skilled in working with agitated residents. She is deeply trusted by those in her care, often offering suggestions to enhance their quality of life and embrace their individuality.

When asked if she had a favorite resident, Erin hesitated before sharing a special connection with Claudia Hudson. “I used to call her Mom because she never had children, and I always tried to make her feel special and take good care of her.” Mrs. Hudson, from the surrounding Essex Meadows community, recently passed away.

Outside of work, Erin lives in Chester with her parents; her 12-year-old son, Jacob; and their two cats, Tinsel and Pikachu. She and Jacob are actively involved in the Deep River Fife & Drum Corps. Erin, who joined as a bass drummer at 16, now serves on the board. Jacob has followed in her footsteps, also playing the bass drum. Together, they travel throughout New England for performances and will be marching in several St. Patrick’s Day parades in March. In her free time, Erin enjoys knitting, crocheting, drawing, and spending time with her cats.

Looking ahead, Erin plans to save money over the next few years and relocate to North Carolina with her boyfriend and Jacob. Once there, she hopes to enroll in either nursing school or cosmetology school, citing the affordability of programs in the South.

A fun fact about Erin—before becoming a CNA, she worked at Silgan Plastics in Deep River after high school, making bottles for brands like Lubriderm and Pantene. One of her former foremen, whose wife is currently a short-term resident at Essex Meadows, now visits daily. Recognizing Erin immediately, they often reminisce about their time working together at the factory. Through her compassion, dedication, and strong connections with both residents and colleagues, Erin continues to make a lasting impact at Essex Meadows.

“Erin is a very patient and kind caregiver. She is also a very talented knitter and has taken the time to calmly teach residents how to knit.” – Lori Hayden, Director of Nursing