Local Journalism Initiative
·4 min read
Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) flew its Canadian flag at half-mast Wednesday (July 10) to pay tribute to former members of the hospital's auxiliary who passed away during 2023-24, including one woman who volunteered for 48 years.
The west Northumberland hospital, located in Cobourg, lowered the flag outside the facility's main entrance to recognize the men and women — both active and past volunteers of the NHH Auxiliary — who died over the past year.
The hospital co-ordinated the initiative to coincide with NHH Auxiliary's annual meeting, which was also held on July 10. The annual tradition recognizes the "exceptional commitment" of auxiliary volunteers throughout the hospital, NHH noted in a media release.
At NHH, auxiliary volunteers help in various capacities, such as greeting patients as they enter the building, helping them find their way to their destination, and delivering water to patient rooms. They also offer a comforting voice in the emergency department, provide a listening ear in NHH's palliative, dialysis, cancer and supportive care areas and help patients occupy their time through the Hospital Elder Life Program, NHH said.
The hospital's auxiliary also operates two retail operations — the Little Treasure Shop, located inside the main entrance of NHH, and Petticoat Lane (the Lane), a thrift shop on Munroe Street in Cobourg — which raise funds to support the hospital's capital equipment needs.
"As a volunteer partner with over 100 years of service to this community, it's important to honour the many dedicated individuals, both past and present, whose volunteerism has supported our hospital teams in delivering quality, compassionate care," said Susan Walsh, NHH president and CEO, in a statement.
"The auxiliary's commitment to NHH and generosity of spirit seems to grow stronger by the year. Your role is critical to our shared purpose of being a people-first organization. On behalf of everyone at NHH, thank you for all you do for NHH and the patients and families we serve."
NHH joined the auxiliary in remembering 23 individuals with "gratitude for their service to this community."
These are the NHH Auxiliary members who passed away in 2023-2024:
- Grace More, who passed away on September 28, 2023, served from 2009 to 2023.
- Dianne Grace Crutchley, who served from 2005 to 2023, passed away on January 10.
- Margaret "Marg" Godawa served from 2011 to 2023. She passed away on February 25.
- Elaine Churchill served on the auxiliary from 2018 to 2023. She passed away on June 7.
- Ronald "Ron" Brealey Sargent passed away on November 4, 2023 and served from 2009 to 2021.
- Marian F. Brawley volunteered from 1966 to 2014. She passed away on November 18, 2023.
- James "Jim" Vilda Russell Manning served from 2008 to 2012. He passed away on November 19, 2023.
- Linda Diane Graham volunteered from 2003 to 2013. She passed away on November 24, 2023.
- Robert Donald Shaw served from 2017 to 2020. He passed away on November 25, 2023.
- Doreen Elizabeth Jenkin volunteered from 2003 to 2020. She passed away on December 21, 2023.
- Blair McFadden served from 2008 to 2023 and passed away on February 4.
- Rayna Breton volunteered between 2004 and 2010 and passed away on February 29.
- Katherine "Kathy" Lynne Upper served on the auxiliary from 2000 to 2012. She passed away on March 27.
- Charles Frederick Lester Northeast volunteered from 2008 to 2020 and passed away on March 30.
- Margaret Elizabeth Harnden served from 2009 to 2013. She passed away on April 6.
- Audrey Lewella Bowman passed away on April 9. She volunteered from 1981 to 2010.
- Harry Oumke Knapper served on the auxiliary from 2015 to 2017 and passed away on April 20.
- Wellington "Rae" Waring volunteered from 2015 to 2023 and passed away on May 10.
- Margaret Francesca Fullerton passed away on May 14. She served on the auxiliary from 1990 to 2011.
- Helga Linde Witt served from 2005 to 2011 and passed away on May 15.
- Catherine Patricia Patty Crosbie volunteered from 2005 to 2010 and passed away on May 30.
- Beryl May Bridge served from 1992 to 2012. She passed away June 5.
- Ross Clifford Adams passed away on June 22. He volunteered from 2001 to 2011.
NHH prides itself for having one of the most active hospital auxiliaries in the province. The 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. The auxiliary also raises funds for the hospital, including a recent donation of $207,000 to support the purchase of four new fetal warmers for the hospital's maternal child care unit.
With 250 active members of all ages, the NHH Auxiliary is growing, contributing thousands of hours of service to the hospital each year. Overall, the auxiliary has been active in helping provide health care in west Northumberland for more than a century.
For more information about the NHH Auxiliary and to join, visit nhh.ca/Volunteers/NHHAuxiliary.
Natalie Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, KawarthaNOW
