Spring is Here! VINELAND NURSERIES

Library

FROM PAGE 1 built within the new Day Hospice as the Dr. Denise Marshall Library,” said McNally board president Murray Bain.

“You really care about the community in which you live and work. You are determined to ensure each person lives as best as possible until the last breath,” Bain said. “You have shown us what is possible.”

McNally House was built on West Lincoln Memorial Hospital land and the fundraising campaign, led by the late Shirley Martin, was launched in the spring of 2006.

Ken Pettigrew, a.k.a. ‘Bob the Builder’ was on the ground floor as joint building coordinator with Tom Betts and he recalled an earlier event and a metaphor he had used to describe Dr. Marshall.

“I said that Denise reminded me of a border collie, so friendly but so focussed. Like a border collie she had really only one job…get all the sheep in the pen… educate everyone in the Region, find the land, get the money, build a hospice…and she slowly and methodically led us all toward that goal.”

Dr. Marshall expanded on the metaphor calling the crowd her “farm family” all connected and each one integral. “It takes the entire farm,” she said, adding the next era is going to be “super exciting” for clan McNally.

Pettigrew recalled leading a hospice tour and seeing the relief of a family learning that the care for their mother would be provided at no cost.

“It is a great legacy Denise. Thank you for inviting me to be part of this marvellous adventure,” Pettigrew said. “I think it has been the best thing I ever did.”

And in a message sent from former team member and palliative nurse clinician Mary Catherine Rilett who could not attend the event: “As a friend you are attuned and attentive, generous, welcoming and funny. My, how we have laughed. Your sense of humour and quick wit brought levity to every day, no matter the circumstances,” Rilett said.

Dr. Marshall founded the Niagara West Palliative Care team in 1997. She was the co-principal investigator of the project which became a gold standard recognized across Canada and internationally as it demonstrated that a community-based palliative care program encompassing 24/7 access to specialist palliative care consultants could improve and enhance the ability of primary care physicians to deliver effective palliative care.

She then turned her vision towards the development of the McNally House residential hospice which opened in early 2008.

In 2013 Dr. Marshall challenged the community to engage around death, dying, loss and bereavement and to develop a network of citizens intent on coming together to support living and dying as a “community”.

KofC bottle drive

Community spirit was poured out generously Saturday for the St. Helen of the Cross Knights of Columbus Council 15999 of Beamsville bottle drive. The drive is one of many K of C projects going towards local causes including the Coats for Kids program. (L-R) Marcel Van Ruyven, Al Rizzuto, Claude Millette, Romeo Di Giacinto, Maurice Charbonneau, Gary Maas, Emilio Murillo and Anthony van Engelen. McDonald - Photo