Class assignment inspires pandemic pen pals generations apart To date, close to 500 letters have poured into St. Mary Healthcare Center from Purdue students and others. Author: Dustin Grove Updated: 8:43 PM EST February 12, 2021 LAFAYETTE, Ind. — For Marilyn DeLong, life in a nursing home during the pandemic has been a lot like living on an island. "I miss seeing my family," she said. "I miss seeing my husband." But a giant stack of letters, she's quick to point, have been her life boat. There are at least 50 and they’re still coming. "This one says 'Hi. I hope all is well, my name is Kyle,'" she said as she read one of them. "'I'm a third-year business student at Purdue University.'"