By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Northumberland Hills Hospital lowers the flag outside the main entrance on Wednesday to honour active and former NHH Auxiliary volunteers known to have passed away in the last year.
In conjunction with the reading of each name at the auxiliary’s annual general meeting (which will be held virtually the same day), this annual flag tradition recognizes the exceptional commitment of auxiliary volunteers throughout the hospital.
Prior to the pandemic, auxiliary members collectively contributed more than 40,000 hours of their time each year – greeting patients as they arrived, supporting wayfinding, offering a comforting voice in the Emergency Department, serving customers at the Little Treasure Shoppe (the gift shop just inside the main entrance) and all the work associated with their Petticoat Lane thrift shop in order to raise money for priority equipment needs.
“The NHH Auxiliary’s mission is to provide effective and compassionate assistance to visitors, staff and patients in an environment that promotes the dignity and well-being of all,” NHH President and Chief Executive Officer Susan Walsh said in the announcement.
“For over 95 years, this team has been helping to delivery quality care at NHH and our legacy organizations. Many auxiliary roles have changed in the past 18 months, due to the pandemic, but the auxiliary’s commitment to NHH and generosity of spirit have not.
“On behalf of everyone at NHH, thank you for all you do for NHH and the patients and families we serve, and a very special thanks to the 36 individuals recognized for 575 years of volunteer service combined.”
Eight of the members recognized were current, including Elizabeth Campbell Parken who passed Jan. 21, 2021, with a legacy of 50 years of membership.
The other seven are:
Molly Leckey, a member of seven years’ standing, who passed Dec. 16, 2020
Courtney Ponting, a member of two years’ standing, who passed Jan. 10, 2021
Brenda Weatherby, a member of 14 years’ standing, who passed Feb. 13, 2021
Dianne Glennie, a member of 20 years’ standing, who passed March 6, 2021
Rebecca Louise McGowan, a member of 10 years’ standing, who passed April 9, 2021
Past president Patricia Fenner, a member of 16 years’ standing, who passed My 22, 2021
Edward Frank Godawa, a member of nine years’ standing, who passed June 15, 2021
The remaining honourees are past members.
Martha Brunton “Marie” Bunton, a member from 2001-2010, who passed April 6, 20204
Brenda Mary Baker, a member from 1998-2007, who passed April 18, 2020
Margaret “Margot” Donald, a member from 2002-2009, who passed May 8, 2020
Joan Marie Kelly, a member from 1990-2008, who passed May 18, 2020
Joan Margaret Shaubel, a member from 2013-2015, who passed May 22, 2020
Mary Thomson, a member from 2006-2008, who passed June 4, 2020
Gerald (Jerry) William Chatten, a member from 2002-2014, who passed June 15, 2020
Mary Elizabeth Moore, a member from 2007, who passed June 22, 2020
Eric James Barrett, a member from 2012-2013, who passed June 24, 2020
Kaye Hamilton, a member from 2004-2017, who passed Sept. 5, 2020
Eileen Mary Wilkinson, a member from 1975-2013, who passed Sept. 17, 2020
Edna May Henderson, a member from 1989-2008, who passed Sept. 25, 2020
Rita Worsley, a member from 1977-2012, who passed Sept. 25, 2020
Past president Marilyn “Ruth” Gordon, a member from 1971-2007, who passed Oct. 2, 2020
Donald Frederick King, a member from 2006-2008. who passed Oct. 4, 2020
Olive Merle Zealand, a member from 1973-2017, who passed Oct. 29, 2020
Donald Percy Macklin, a member from 2000-2014, who passed Dec. 7, 2020
Barbara Anne Fenton, a member from 2006-2009, who passed Dec. 24, 2020
Annelies Lichtenberger, a member from 1994-2014, who passed Jan. 25, 2021
Anna “Merle” Carlson, a member from 1974-2010, who passed Jan. 29, 2021
Georgina “Lady” Hagemeyer, a member fro 2003-2010, who passed Feb. 20, 2021
Doris Loreen Winter, a member from 1995-2011, who passed Feb. 20, 2021
Nancy Carol Foden, a member from 1998-2011, who passed March 9, 2021
Ruby Frances Kemp, a member from 1990-2007, who passed March 16, 2021
Phyllis Irene Adams, a member from 2003-2019, who passed March 16, 2021
Marlene Mary Vout (Stevenson), a member from 2002-2016, who passed May 5, 2021
Linda Moore, a member from 1976-2014, who passed May 7, 2021
Beverley Joanne Joscelyn, a member from 2006-2011, who passed May 14, 2021
If you would like to learn more about the volunteer opportunities the auxiliary offers, visit the Volunteers tab at nhh.ca.
