The Christmas Cookie Club is made up of, from left, Ruth Ann Barker, Robin Gallagher, Karen Grubbs and Beabea Horoszko.

NEW SPRINGFIELD — While the Christmas season is a joyous time of year, filled with loving traditions and special gatherings, it also turns to grieving when memories of loved ones who have passed fill hearts and minds.

However, memories that evoke sadness can be redeemed by creating new traditions that then make new memories. Such is the case for Bobbie Juntilla and her sister, Robin Gallagher.

Bobbie and Robin’s father died in April 1992. Robin was attached to her father and devastated at the loss.

Bobbie said, “I tried to think of something I could do to help Robin feel better.” She decided, “I’ll teach her how to bake Christmas cookies, which we will deliver to her friends.”

She pitched the idea to Robin, who asked, “Can my friends come?”

That’s how the Christmas Cookie Club gathering began at Bobbie’s home in New Springfield. The friends have gathered every year since 1992 — except for 2020 because of COVID-19.

The four friends first met at age 7 when they attended Robert Bycroft School together in Lisbon; all the women are developmentally disabled. Since then, they have kept in touch with one another and occasionally get together for activities or workshops during the year.

But the hands-down favorite for each one is getting together for a day in December at Bobbie’s home to bake Christmas cookies and bread.

Bobbie said she will start getting phone calls in August or September from the women, asking if the gathering will take place and when it will be. They also let Bobbie know what types of cookies they want to bake. Bobbie then will find the recipes and write out a list of ingredients which she divides out between the four of them to purchase and bring on baking day.

Five years ago, the ladies made gingerbread houses.

The group used to have five in it until they lost their friend, Deanna. “Last December, she wasn’t strong enough to help so the group visited her at her home,” Bobbie said.

The last thing she said to the women was “I love you.” They all hugged and the four told her, “We love you.”

Deanna died three weeks later. Following this year’s cookie baking, they drove to the cemetery to lay a wreath at her grave.

What do the women enjoy the most about the experience? Robin, who lives with Bobbie, spoke for all of them when she answered, “Being with my friends.”

Beabea, who lives in an apartment complex in Wellsburg, W.Va., where all the residents are developmentally disabled, answered, “I like to bake.”

Ruth Ann, who lives in a group home in Lisbon, made sure to mention that they also look forward to going out to eat when they are finished, and the others happily agreed with a cheer.

“Christmas is my favorite time of the year,” Ruth Ann said.

After baking, the group will go Christmas caroling at the homes of family members and then have dinner together. “They love that, they love going out to eat,” Bobbie said.

On a Saturday earlier this month, the day began at 10:30 a.m. with baking and a gift exchange.

“I like the gift exchange. It makes everybody happy,” Ruth Ann said.

She said she enjoys shopping for each friend and points out that this year she gave everyone an identical T-shirt with the words, “Christmas Baking Team” on it.

“I wanted everyone to look the same,” she said. After the exchange they pause for lunch, and the marathon baking continues until 4:30 p.m.

All the women said they are grateful to Bobbie for organizing the event.

“Getting them together, that’s the most important thing,” Bobbie said. “I just love being with this group.”

When the baking is finished everyone selects the cookies and breads they want to take home, which are then put in containers they brought.

Through the simple act of Christmas cookie baking, the women renew their bonds of friendship and continue a tradition that has brought joy to them for more than 30 years. They enjoy a special connection which has become a testimony to the joy of the season, and an act which offers a deeper meaning — that the most important part of the Christmas holiday is being together.

It is a simple truth that these women live out every December.

news@vindy.com