Rowena’s Sweet Birthday Tradition Lives on at Arizona Boardwalk
SCOTTSDALE/SALT RIVER-MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY, AZ (Dec. 18, 2025) — A heartwarming decades-old tradition continued last week when 102-year-old Rowena Arnold celebrated her birthday with several joyful rides on the Boardwalk Carousel at Scottsdale’s Arizona Boardwalk, surrounded by family and the devoted caregivers who helped make the moment possible.
Arnold, born in 1923, grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, where she lived for 80 years and raised her family, including her daughter, Joellyn Schnurr. For years, her birthdays were marked by a uniquely sweet ritual with her husband, Les Arnold. Each birthday, Les took Arnold to Union Park in Des Moines to ride the park’s beloved restored carousel. The tradition became one of the great joys of her life.
After Les passed, Schnurr often traveled from Phoenix back to Des Moines to keep the treasured carousel ride alive. Eventually, as Arnold’s care needs increased, Schnurr moved her mother to Arizona so she and her husband could care for her at their home with the support of the compassionate caregivers from Suncrest Hospice.
This year, when a real carousel visit wasn’t possible on Arnold’s birthday, Schnurr kept the tradition alive with a small celebration at home and surprised her mother with a replica carousel tabletop decoration. Though Arnold didn’t know many people in the Valley, her Suncrest caregivers all came together to celebrate her 102nd birthday over Labor Day weekend.
Last week, as part of Suncrest’s “Day of Caring” and inspired by Arnold’s long carousel tradition, the care team took it a step further: they coordinated with Arizona Boardwalk and arranged transportation so Arnold could once again enjoy real carousel rides at the entertainment destination.
On Tuesday, Arnold enjoyed three delightful trips on the Boardwalk Carousel, breaking into smiles each time as Schnurr, her son-in-law Joe, and her many Suncrest caregivers—who have become like family, according to Schnurr—took turns riding with her. The celebration was filled with laughter, many photos, and emotional moments as the beloved tradition continued in a new setting.
“The Arizona Boardwalk team was so welcoming, and she truly had a wonderful time,” Schnurr said. “This meant the world to her—and to all of us who love her. Her Suncrest Hospice team is simply amazing for making this tradition come alive again for my mother.”
The Boardwalk Carousel provided the perfect backdrop for a trip filled with joy, nostalgia, and remarkable life milestones.
Arnold herself expressed deep gratitude to the Arizona Boardwalk team members and her Suncrest caregivers, thanking everyone for helping her continue a tradition that has brought her joy for so many years.
“The rides were so much fun, and being out – it was a good trip,” proclaimed Arnold about her day at Arizona Boardwalk.
Credit: Arizona Boardwalk
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