Connecting with people is at the heart of what Seasons Retirement Communities does. Seasons Celebrates Remarkable Residents® is a long-standing Signature Program celebrating the contributions and successes of the seniors who call them home.
This yearly contest invites family, friends, and staff to nominate a Seasons resident who has overcome obstacles to reach their goals and is an exemplary community member demonstrated through their talents, volunteerism, and work, both past and present.
This program allows residents to feel valued. It has a long-lasting impact on residents and their families whose stories are heard and also allows Seasons team members to learn something unique and personal about the special individuals they have the pleasure of supporting daily.
World Kindness Day®, marked yearly on November 13, spotlights the positive power of good deeds. Along with the many remarkable residents who have been honoured for more than a decade, their generosity of spirit aligns with Seasons’ desire to give back to their local communities.
Here is how Seasons 2024 remarkable resident finalists have created meaning and evoked purpose throughout their entire lives:
Seasons Cambridge resident Walter, born on February 10, 1933, is an esteemed writer and avid traveller. Alongside his beloved wife, Lillian, he has visited 131 countries, capturing captivating stories of exploration and cultural discovery. At age six, Walter received a printing set and roll-top desk, sparking a journalism career spanning over 70 years. He has also contributed to numerous publications and authored six books. Walter, who continues to write today, is hopeful that his latest book will be his best one yet, about his tablemates at Seasons!
Giving back has been integral to Walter’s life, and he has devoted his time to helping the community. He has travelled as a ventriloquist for ten years, teaching children to read, served as a Public School Trustee, ran a local Minor Hockey Team, and collaborated with the police to support troubled youth. Walter held leadership roles in various organizations, notably as a Board Member of Camp Hermosa for 50 years, and actively participated in the parish in his local community.
He has received numerous awards and recognitions, including The Bernice Adams Special Trustee Award from the City of Cambridge (1999), The Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Media (2002) and Induction into the Preston High School Hall of Fame for Community Service (2007). The Galt-Cambridge Lions Club presented Walter with the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for dedicated Humanitarian Services on behalf of The Lions Clubs International Foundation (2014). Also, he was awarded the Royal Canadian Legions Canada 150th Anniversary Medal for his writings about the Legion and its Veterans (2017).
Loraine, Seasons Drayton Valley resident, celebrated 51 years of marriage with Leonard, whom she married on June 2, 1973. Their journey included memorable travels across Canada and the United States, highlighted by a bus tour to Mexico for their 15th anniversary and a six-week motorhome adventure from Alberta to PEI for their 25th. Starting her nursing career at Royal Alexandra Hospital, she and Leonard moved to Drayton Valley in 1977. Loraine started working at Drayton Valley Hospital in November 1979, enjoying many experiences taking care of wonderful patients and was recognized for 20 years of nursing service.
Loraine’s commitment to family extended beyond her nursing career. She provided crucial care during numerous family health challenges, including supporting her grandmother through stage 4 cancer, assisting Leonard during critical medical emergencies, and advocating for medical interventions for her mother’s health issues. Despite facing her own battle with stage 4 breast to bone cancer at age 43 and being given 3 years to live, Loraine’s resilience, supported by family, friends, and faith, has led her to thrive as a survivor 27 years later. On December 19, 2012, Loraine and Leonard moved into Sunrise Village, which would later become Seasons Retirement Communities.
During her school years, Loraine began volunteering for 4H and participated in Girl Guides. She spent summers counselling and sharing her nursing skills as needed. Loraine also founded a ‘Ladies Group’ teaching self-defense, life skills, and crafts. Deeply involved in her church for decades, Loraine taught Sunday School and preschool programs, led ‘Pioneer Clubs’ with 150 members for eight years, and served as Church Treasurer. She also served as Union President and Safety Representative at the hospital and ran a Christian bookstore for eight years, handling bookkeeping for various organizations. Loraine is also a part of the foundation that helped raise money to install the helipad at Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre.
Today, Loraine enjoys playing cards with family and friends and remains active in Drayton Valley’s 55+ Centre, where she served as Treasurer for two years and is a lifetime member.
Seasons Royal Oak Village resident and Seasons 2024 remarkable resident winner Glenna married Bob, her beloved husband, in 1989. Together, they explored ten provinces and two territories and enjoyed yearly trips to theatres in Stratford and Toronto. After Bob’s passing in 2010, Glenna found strength in her faith, family, and friends.
Throughout her career as an educator spanning 35 years, Glenna taught music to Grades 4 through 8 and later found immense fulfillment working with children in Special Education. Her dedication extended beyond the classroom as she developed a curriculum providing community work placements for Grade 7 and 8 students, earning recognition from the Council of Exceptional Children. After her retirement, Glenna continued her commitment to service, judging speeches and supporting track and field events at her former school. She joined RTO-ERO District 7’s Goodwill Committee, eventually becoming Goodwill Chair for the city and county, where her role involves overseeing the Benevolent Fund, maintaining membership records, leading memorial services, contributing to newsletters, and organizing outreach efforts to retirees and residents of retirement homes; this involves sending over 2,000 hand-written birthday, special day/occasion and “thinking of you” cards a year.
Glenna’s community involvement extends across industries, from church finance committees to being a Gesstwood Camp’s Board member and volunteering with organizations like the Kidney Foundation and Canadian Cancer Society. Recently honoured with the Distinguished Member Award from the Retired Teachers of Ontario, Glenna finds joy in brightening the lives of others through her extensive volunteer work and musical contributions.
These three remarkable residents and countless others who call Seasons home amaze and inspire those who live and work at Seasons through their incredible kindness and generosity. The company offers a range of lifestyle options for seniors in Ontario and Alberta. If you are searching for a retirement home for yourself or a loved one, please click the Locations tab on our website and contact one of our Leasing Managers at the Seasons Retirement Community closest to you.
