Connections August 2014 Vol. 12 Issue 4 Southeastern Ontario’s leading provider of AGING, MENTAL HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE CARE
Our Values Respect. Dignity. Compassion. Stewardship.
Our Mission Trusting in Providence and strengthened by the spirit and tradition of our Founders, the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, we enhance the quality of life by meeting the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of each person. We work with our partners to innovate and excel in education and research. We treat each person with respect, dignity and compassion.
What’s Inside Peer Support offers mental health clients a 'safe environment' and understanding Elevating the patient lift experience for Providence Care Hospital Providence Care staff wins award A new era for our charitable Foundation
www.providencecare.ca info@providencecare.ca
Leading the way in compassion and discovery.
Providence Manor resident launches “Stories of My Century” “It was like turning on a tap,” says Mary Mathieson, of her foray into writing stories of her past. Mary was 50 years old when she first started recording her rich accumulation of memories and experiences – typing furiously away with no thought to paragraphs, chapters or any type of editing. Little did she know it would all eventually lead to her book, “Stories of My Century.” Mary, who is 95 years of age, held a book launch on July 9, 2014 at Providence Manor in Kingston. “It was like being in the movies,” says Mary of the book launch, “with all the people attending, TV cameras and interviews.” Mary seemed to have a natural talent for journalistic writing but it was a progressive awakening of that talent over the years. “I don’t remember having a writing bug in my early years,” states Mary, “it just seemed to grow.” From those rough first writings Mary employed the help of writer friend Bob McKenzie and progressed to writing a blog. Bob suggested a blog as it only involved writing short paragraphs when and if she had time. “I wanted to pull out stories from my mass of writings that demonstrated changes in the last 90 years – stories that were interesting – stories that were humorous and that people would enjoy.” Mary was both surprised and encouraged by the positive response to her blog…but how to put it all in a book? The thought was overwhelming to her at first. She is very thankful for the editing help of Bob McKenzie and the photography assistance of Jeff Webster who worked on old photos she had for inclusion in the book. The end result, “Stories of My Century,” is an interesting and entertaining collection of vignettes of Mary’s eventful life spanning almost a century – her time as a nurse, wife and mother and the times she grew up in. The book touches on her life in a small town in Ontario to time she spent in Europe and the United States, and being witness to the most momentous events of the 20th Century. Mary’s book is $25.00 and all royalties go directly to support Kingston’s H’Art Centre in the name of Jackie Mathieson, one of Mary’s granddaughters. “Stories of My Century” can be purchased online at www.lulu.com. No sooner did Mary put the finishing touches on her last story than she suffered a heart attack and had to be hospitalized. On discharge home, Mary realized she could no longer look after herself and was readmitted to hospital. She was immediately put on the crisis list for placement to a long-term care home. Providence Manor had an opening and she moved in in March 2014. “The care here is excellent,” states Mary, “and I can enjoy the interest in my book – doing interviews and book signings – it’s opened up a whole new world – it’s fun.” - Cathy Clark, Communications Officer