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4/16/2023 0 Comments TerryInventor, businessman, widow, father, grandfather, genealogist, fiddler, singer.
At 84, Terry looks back upon an active life, grateful for grandchildren, descended from his first wife Gertrude, his high school sweetheart. Gertrude granted Terry one daughter and one son. Together 38 years, she passed away with cancer. His daughter, Joanne and husband, Jeff bestowed Terry with two granddaughters he is very fond of. In his early life, Terry built logging trailers. Then, he started an environmental products business in which he and son Dennis, invented an oily wastewater processor. Terry travelled widely in Canada, north to Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, working under the midnight sun. When Terry retired, his son assumed operations of their business. Terry is blessed by music he enjoys, valuing his long-life which provides him time to appreciate music. Terry's mother, lived in Renfrew Ontario, a staunch Irish Catholic from Fivemiletown, County Tyrone. Having taught school for 30 years, she retired in Renfrew, walking to five funeral homes in a town of 7,500 people. There she visited, maintaining contact with people she knew and taught. At 64 years, Terry discovered a drawerful of old pictures in his mother’s house. Seeing no names or dates on the photos, prompted Terry to begin genealogy research. Terry's three passions are fiddling, singing and genealogy His Irish heritage prompted his brothers and sisters to tour Ireland for 16 days in 2006. He has more research to do– declaring genealogy has no beginning or end.__ His passion for fiddling evokes memories of his 3rd wife, Evelyn. Her love of car racing inspired a trip to Knoxville, Iowa. They continued to Bristol, Tennessee, and Crooked Road, West Virginia, where they participated in jam sessions. Travelling south provided their best experience visiting the Carter Family and McReynolds Brothers’ store. The trip fortified the couple's bond. They married on their return home. Terry treasures his 13 years with Evelyn, married for ten until she passed in 2018. Terry’s 2nd marriage was less successful, the couple divorced acrimoniously. Terry feels blessed by his son, daughter, and three granddaughters. His son’s partner Andy and Dennis own an Edmonton home. Terry accepts their non-traditional relationship. *Terry shared that he has returned to journalling as a response to this sitting…*
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4/16/2023 0 Comments TerenceTerence was born October 20, 1946, in the bush in Morrison Township near Muskoka, 80 miles north of Toronto. The son of Annie, a First Nations Ojibway woman, and a German father, Bruce Alexander. His mother delivered two sons: Terry and Don. Terry identifies with his indigenous roots and spoke Cree as a child. Terry moved often as a child. After separating from Annie, Bruce[MW1] , their father, delivered Terry and Don to live with the Letendre family for a couple of years at Lac St. Anne. There they learned to speak Cree and engaged in all the family’s activities.
Terry, Don, and their father left Alberta returning to Ontario after two years to join Sophie, his father’s new wife. Terry was unhappy with his stepmother. He missed Annie. Terry was 22, when he found Annie living in a small house in Toronto. Terry’s mother Annie had 13 children. Terry describes Annie’s life as one of squalor he’s grateful he escaped. At 76 years old, Terry looks back at his years working as a correctional officer, a volunteer at Atonement Home advising Children’ Aid, and most recently, 17 years as a school bus driver. Terry has lived well enjoying 42 years of marriage to Margaret. They had two daughters. Their youngest daughter who trained bus drivers, collapsed at work, and passed away 13 years ago. The cause of her death was never determined. Their oldest daughter married recently, creating a blended family that includes 17 year old grandson, Spirit. Spirit is a high functioning person with Autism. Terry declares his room as a “tragic mess” but he well represents his given name! Terry worked as a corrections officer for the federal government for 25 years. Terry believes rehabilitation does not occur during incarceration. It needs to be. He is upset by the high percentage of indigenous inmates in the prison system. Tired of teaching Indigenous inmates how to live in a white person’s world with no rehabilitation; Terry left his work in corrections. At 60, Terry reunited with Annie and her children and was able to kindle a good relationship. 4/16/2023 0 Comments PhyllisPhyllis, born 1932 in Lemmon, South Dakota, (US), reflects upon her life, believing that she’s transitioning well to growing old.
Hindsight widens her perceptions. At 89 she considers herself fortunate to be in touch with some of her grandchildren, but believes her children or grandchildren have no responsibility to help her. She doesn’t say she’s old, rather she prefers to say, “she’s getting old.” There are stages to the process, but she concedes “when you get to 85 plus, you’re old, so suck it up; it’s just the way it is.” Phyllis’ parents were second generation Norwegians. Her father pastored a Lutheran Church in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. Pastor’s children are observed closely by parishioners, Phyllis remembers during 32 years as the pastor’s kid, she was seen a lot, as were her five sisters. With hindsight offered by aging; she understands her judgements of people were “sometimes silly”. She and her sisters expected people to be like they were, which wasn’t the case for her youngest sister, Solveig’s husband. Phyllis and her sisters alienated him because it was rumoured, he’d been in jail. Phyllis regrets her response to him. Today, she accepts people with lives different from hers, understanding her past perceptions were narrow. The doorbell rings; Phyllis answers. Outside, stands a neighbour who shovelled her sidewalk. He wants to visit. His girlfriend helped Phyllis with some tasks. He protests he didn’t expect payment for his work. Phyllis replies, “I do as I want, because I can, and I want to pay you.” She gives him money. Phyllis returns to sit before a large living room window, proclaiming her joy from a good love story, which this couple provides. Their happiness makes her happy. Casting a look outside, she embraces the light seeping into her living room, announcing “I love this room.” She’s not ready to leave here yet, but when she does, she’s leaving everything behind. Phyllis met her husband, Kenneth McFadden, in Moorhead, Minnesota where they both attended Concordia College. He was a football player; she a cheerleader. Together almost 70 years, Ken refers to Phyllis as his “girlfriend.” As Phyllis’s children grew, Ken told his stories at the dinner table, as she worked in the kitchen keeping her memories stored. She enjoyed hearing stories about his family, but today she enjoys telling her stories, a privilege of aging. 4/16/2023 0 Comments NoelNoel lives on an acreage past Stony Plain in a log home with her daughter, grand daughter and silver Labrador, Carl. Noel recalls she loved to waltz with her husband who was a great dancer. She announces her marriage was almost perfect. Her husband passed away in 2008 at 67 years of age.
Noel honoured her mother’s request she have a profession to support herself before she married. Her mother learned women needed a way to support themselves after she herself divorced when Noel was only 7. Noel and her future husband attended the same high school. He was two grades behind her so she wouldn’t have given him the time of day. She married him when she was 22. Noel enrolled in the twelve month Junior E program. After 12 months, she could teach and returned to university for night classes and summer school earning a Bachelor of Education. After marriage, she taught Then began life with her husband an RCMP special needs students and grades 1-3. At this time, a teacher couldn’t teach past her sixth month of pregnancy. Women couldn’t show a ‘baby bump’. Noel recalls pregnant teachers were considered a disgrace. In 1965, Noel gave birth to their first child, a boy. Ian survived two days, a result of his exposure to Chicken Pox. Ian having died in August, meant Noel could return to teach. Thirteen months later, in September, Cara was born. The following August a son, Scott was born. Two years later with the birth of Heather, the family was complete. Today, her daughter taught up to her child’s birth, June 26th. Noel’s teaching career included both teaching kindergarten and Special Education, which she ‘fell into’ in Wetaskiwin, where she taught three years. Kindergarten enrollment had fallen to one class; therefore, the principal asked her to teach Special Education Mathematics. Noel embraced the challenge. She determined these students could be high achievers in their group. Later, she studied to teach Special Ed. While working in administration, Noel developed a teaching resources for math teachers. This led to presenting at Math Conferences and Teachers’ Conventions in Kansas, San Jose, and Vancouver. She thrived presenting to audiences. Noel shared a life changing event when ‘the Universe’ introduced her to laughter yoga after the passing of her husband in 2009. She got hooked and became a certified Teacher Trainer. 4/16/2023 0 Comments Mufty and BillBill and Mufty celebrated 65 years of marriage, August 2022. Being a couple as long as they have, might appear stressful, but weathering storms together, they believe each day of marriage gets better than the last. This couple’s attitude towards living is a blueprint for living together, living life fully looking forward to each day.
Bill and Mufty met at McGill University but waited before their first date. Bill needed six months to gain the courage to ask Mufty out. Bill’s invitation came, knowing the next day, he’d be travelling. If their date went sideways, he wouldn’t need to see her. Their first date, at age 18 went well. At McGill, Mufty studied Occupational Therapy. Bill’s challenge with dyslexia caused him to fail Chemistry and Physics his first and second year. Mufty helped him overcome his dyslexia. Looking back at life together, Mufty says raising children is one of the hardest things she’s done. Bill admits he lived life using a straightforward plan. But life doesn’t work that way. He thinks he created a gap in his relationship with one son, but believes the rift is mending; estrangement still exists. Bill and Mufty live life forward. Bill says he loves Mufty more every day. Mufty believes living forward takes planning. Bill lives in the present. Mufty realizes she can’t do everything she used to, and the loss is palpable. Bill submits acceptance is the hardest part of aging. Their decision to marry proved difficult. Mufty explains that they had difficulty painting a room together; how could they be married? Bill proposed twice. Mufty said no. Then she said, “let’s quit.” Bill stresses they’d do it all again. “It’s been a great trip.” Both believers in MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying*) their papers are in place: provisions made to end their lives. Their appointed agent makes the decision. They chose an agent who’d honor their wishes. As much as they love life, they don’t want to extend suffering to keep it. Mufty suggests, “the safest place in her whole world is in Bill’s arms.” Today they’ve planned a picnic in the river valley, for which Bill needs to go buy bread. “Keep looking pretty,” Bill says. “Thanks Bill.” Mufty says. * For more detailed information on Canada’s MAID law March 17, 2021, consult the MAID webpage justice.gc.ca 4/16/2023 0 Comments MichaelMichael normally does not disclose his age, but he was born August 28th, 1936. The sitting occurred on his birthday. He insists every day is a birthday, and every day we wake up is a day to celebrate.
Michael holds learning of high value. Life is a journey that for all we know may never end. We need to treat each day as an opportunity to acquire knowledge. Married 63 years, family is important to Michael; he and his wife have 2 sons, 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He immigrated to Canada from England November 30th, 1966. It was horribly cold upon his arrival in Edmonton. He stresses he never regrets coming to Edmonton. Michael knows what it’s like to be discriminated against based on heritage. Michael is Jewish. He pursued industrial chemistry at Yardley’s in London. but did not secure employment there because of discriminatory practices. He worked at the London School of Hygiene researching penicillium. At 18, he began two years National Service, compulsory in Britain then. Michael’s basic training helped him mature. Then, he taught Math, Science and German upgrading to military men 45-55. He liked teaching. He learned to be a barber on the east end of London working for his uncle, who asked Michael to cut hair after observing his uncle’s work. Michael became proficient cutting hair but did not intend to stay in that field. In 1966, Michael immigrated to Edmonton to work in a hair salon. When an opportunity arose to attend university, Michael took it. After a year of teacher training, successful candidates could teach; he taught hairdressing at Edmonton’s Victoria School. He continued his education, achieving a MEd and PhD in Education. He went to work at Alberta Education, remaining 17 years. He explored a fascination with volunteerism, through a U of A Extension course. He volunteered for non-profit organizations, his interest fuelled by his desire to return kindness he and his family received. His sons are well-educated leaders who fulfill most Jewish parents’ aspiration their children achieve more, educationally, than their parents. Michael’s connection to Synagogue fluctuates. Michael proudly wears a Kippah, yarmulke or skull cap and a tallit or prayer shawl, symbols of his great respect for his Jewish heritage. 4/16/2023 0 Comments LaverneAt 87, Laverne reflects on life considering his has been a full, and rich life with his wife, Doreen, and three children Denise, Janine, and Cameron. Laverne describes a house fire in their Grand Prairie acreage home in 1981. Laverne suggests the fire is not a big memory in life. He pauses to reflect upon Kierkegaard’s statement “Life can only be understood backwards.” He’s reflecting upon his past in discussion with artist, Mary, relishing the quality and variety in his life. Big memories for Laverne involve his family, where they lived exploring nature, and his long educational career started as an elementary teacher in Dickson, Central Alberta.
Laverne taught at Evergreen Elementary school. He admits to making mistakes as a teacher but felt supported by the community. A farmer told him the community expected a good Christmas concert. Laverne focused his efforts producing such a concert, upset by a Superintendent’s visit, as they rehearsed. The Superintendent suggested his students would long remember concert preparations over anything else he taught. Laverne learned the value of emphasizing what is truly important. When asked about disappointments in life, Laverne declares “a person can’t live 87 years without regrets.” His midyear transfer to another school in Red Deer School Division without explanation was disheartening. He wondered if he’d done something wrong. The situation worsened when the farmer who advised about concert expectations told Laverne that he’d betrayed them. A difficult situation, Laverne gained insight into the inevitability, but difficultly of change. Laverne met Doreen Loberg, his future wife of 59 years in 1957. He insists he didn’t know her until they met at a weekend reunion at Camrose Lutheran College. Doreen and Laverne’s courtship was long, while Doreen completed her RN training. In 1960, they were married in Grand Prairie. Then, grooms wore pink and charcoal: that’s what Laverne wore. Doreen liked it. Their wedding photo is displayed in Laverne’s home. Their life together included: Cross-country skiing, farming, boating at Bear Lake and Dickson on the Raven River. He moved his family to Edmonton to study one year to be a counsellor. For twenty-six years, he counseled in Grande Prairie and later at Grande Prairie College, while farming part-time. He declares looking back he would not change anything. 4/16/2023 0 Comments KenKenneth PhD, taught human anatomy to students in Medicine, Dentistry, and Rehabilitation Medicine at University of Alberta. Ken was a frequent recipient of a best teaching award, highly regarded by his students and
peers. August 2022, Ken turned 93 years old. Born in Brandon, Manitoba, 1929, Ken youngest of three brothers and one sister. Ken met Phyllis, his wife of almost 70 years, in Moorhead, Minnesota where they attended Concordia College. Ken, on a college scholarship, played football and hockey. Phyllis was a cheerleader. Ken played football, as an end for Calgary Stampeders in 1952. He loved physical activity. Ken has fond memories of playing football and hockey. He viewed sports as a unifying force, which could build community, tolerance and understanding. He insists there was no talk of politics in sports he played. Ken and Phyllis moved to Edmonton, a hot July 1st, 1965. with their six children. Ken was invited to join mentor Dr. Ollrich in the Anatomy faculty at University of Alberta. Ken knew Dr. Ollrich from his university days. Arriving by car, the family stayed in Dr. Ollrich’s McKernan basement. Ken began work as Professor of Anatomy at University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine, July 3ird, 1965, where he taught until his retirement in 1993. Faith in God shaped Ken’s life. A past member of Calvary Lutheran Church, Ken served there as a Deacon, one of many ways Ken served his church. Ken, busy with his career, still coached each of his six children’s sports activity. He enjoyed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, hunting, and hiking, involving his children in these activities. He introduced his children to his version of a party, which included black licorice and Pepsi. Ken loved travel. Especially interested in China, he studied Mandarin, prior to several trips to China where he taught medical students. In 2022, Ken and Phyllis moved into a supported living facility, where they sat together on a balcony watching the sun set. Florence learned from a challenging early life, how to enjoy life at 78. She confirms she “lived a lot during her lifetime.” She turns 79, July 15th and would like someone to write her a ‘birthday poem.” Writing a birthday poem, gifting it to friends and family is a recent pastime by which she honors those she loves.
Florence’s early life was filled with hardships she experienced in a family struggling to survive in times of war and economic uncertainty. As the youngest of four, she had three older brothers, she felt insecure. Her mother, possessive of Florence’s father’s love and attention, alienated Florence. Florence’s mother didn’t allow her in the kitchen. Today, she is grateful for Meals on Wheels and in winter orders from Boston Pizza. Florence’s strained relationship with her mother, something her mother apologized for, impacted Florence’s early marriage to John. He also came from a dysfunctional family. After Florence gave birth to Gordon, the couple divorced. Florence moved to an apartment on Saskatchewan Drive. John lived nearby. Together they raised Gordon who went to Garneau School. Today, Gordon, 56 years old, lives in Toronto where he is a sportscaster. He and ex-wife Sarah have one daughter, Florence’s granddaughter of whom she is very fond. Happy in retirement, Florence doesn’t depend upon anyone. Although it took a long time to get where she is today, she enjoys life and is at peace, ready to pass away. She organized her end of her life celebration. The music she’s chosen is Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark.” A friend, Wally will read “On Death” by Kahli Gibran. She studied Buddhism which provides comforts to live by. She meditates, informally. Plants, she insists are good to mediate on declaring “look at my African violet blooming, it’s happy.” One regret is she didn’t travel more. She would like to see China, Greece, and study in Italy. But two bad knees, reliant upon on a walker to get around, travel isn’t possible. Florence believes she lives with grace in life, now. She refrains from judging others because she understands what others go through, having endured life’s upheavals. 4/16/2023 0 Comments EileenEileen was born in 1936. She lives in a condo with second husband Ronald. They blended their families years ago; together they have many grandchildren. Eileen’s first marriage ended when her husband finished his education in Winnipeg. She has four daughters. Ron, her second husband, two sons. Ron will turn 90 when Eileen’s daughter, Rene, arrives from Australia. Rene and Eileen planned a trip to Florence, Italy: number one on Eileen’s bucket list.
Looking back, Eileen expresses frustration with damage people do to others. Powerful people with wrong motivations hurt people. Eileen’s life shows she values relationships and cherishes love and support from Ron and family. She speaks with her daughters every week on Zoom . At 19, Eileen became Director of Music at Crease Clinic in Vancouver which specialized in innovative treatments for the mentally ill. She researched music therapy for mentally ill patients; with a musical background her work at the clinic into a wonderful experience she considers fortunate to have experienced, admitting some successes and some very sad outcomes among patients. Today, she sings in her church choir, although she declares she can’t sing anymore. She recently overcame performance anxiety delivering a sermon about change. Thinking she wouldn’t be given another opportunity to speak in public, she put all her energy into delivering her sermon and did not experience anxiety. She also received praise for her sermon. Eileen is a good role model for her daughters but is not as educated as she’d like. She thrived in the workplace working only when required to earn a living. She wrote for television and was an assistant producer. Women’s work in the 1960’s was challenging with few good jobs for women. She worked for City of Edmonton for seven years, then at CBC, CTV, CFCN and ITV on contract basis. She liked work but because men were always her boss, when one left, she had to teach his replacement his job. She was not paid well. She researched for a neurologist at U of A hospital writing a book on intercranial aneurisms. She did literature reviews with no computer to organize data, working with three researchers they completed 8000 citations. Ironically, this work gave her understanding of aneurism when she collapsed on a BC beach at 62. At Victoria Hospital, a surgeon explained she’d suffered an intercranial aneurism requiring surgery with a 15% chance of survival and likelihood of long-term problems. She recovered with almost full capacity. Full of gratitude to be alive, she takes nothing for granted. |
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