Local Senior Center Built From A Promise

CBS 11's Teresa Frosini Reports:

KELLER (CBSDFW.COM) – As George Canioni was on his death bed, Cindy Johnson made a last promise to her dying friend -- that she would take care of his wife, Mary. "I was there," Johnson recalled, "and I layed down right next to him and I promised him I would take care of her."

Johnson met Canioni and his wife three years ago, while delivering for Meals on Wheels. "Two weeks later, George called and wanted to get some transportation to the store, wanted me to take Mary shopping and get her some clothes," Johnson said. "The relationship developed from there."

Johnson was there when Canioni's wife broke her kneecap, and again when Canioni himself got sick. "All through that process, we got closer and closer," Johnson explained. "I just made sure they had the best people on them to take care of them."

"When the time came, and George passed, we knew we had to take care of Mary," Johnson said. And she kept her promise.

In August, Johnson opened her first senior residential care home, and named it Cindy's Promise. The first resident was Mary. Residents live in a comfortable home environment with 24 hour assistance. "Here, you get one caregiver to three people," Johnson said of her facility. "There is always activity. They're always together. They do things together. They communicate. The caregivers take care of them. It's a win-win for everybody."

"I've got wonderful people taking care of me," said Mary.

"George is smiling down and he's happy," Johnson said. "And he knows Mary is being taken care of."