Lascassas Woman Honors Late Friend by Surprising Hospital Associates with Homemade Banana Bread

The night staff in the critical care unit at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford received a sweet delivery just in time for Christmas!

Yesterday, Penny Jacobs of Lascassas dropped off dozens of loaves of the homemade banana nut bread recipe she’s been perfecting for decades. Penny wanted to do something special for the ICU staff to thank them for caring for a friend she lost last year to COVID-19 and to help make their busy holiday workweeks a bit sweeter.

“Many people like decorating this time of year but baking is what helps me get into the holiday spirit,” says Penny, who is a retired member of the national guard, stepmother of three, and grandmother of 7. She is a member of Lascassas Community Church and volunteers with their food bank.

Penny jokes that baked goods are the perfect Christmas gift because, in her words: “I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like to eat!” Her secret? She starts with a store-bought banana nut bread mix, subs the recommended oil for applesauce, and folds in a generous serving of fresh sliced bananas and pecans.

CCU staff members were thrilled by Penny’s gesture, which she coordinated with the Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation. The Foundation has planned several other surprises for associates this week, including a visit from the Grinch!