Love and care come full circle.

Love and care come full circle - William and Doreen Dinsdale

Married for barely a month, William (Bill) Dinsdale and his new bride, Doreen, were forced to say goodbye. Bill, who was part of the Canadian Forces, was called on to serve his country.

This wouldn’t be the last time Bill and Doreen would be forced to live apart. Bill began experiencing some health issues that could no longer be managed at home. After some family conversations, and some careful research, the decision was made St. Joseph’s Parkwood Hospital’s 3Kent Essex’s wing would be a comfortable home for Bill.

After 67 years of marriage, their time apart was difficult. But their love endured, much as it did so many years before. 

This major life change was made easier with visits from Doreen and, his roommates – Chuck and Art, who became great friends – and the caring and compassionate staff who created an atmosphere of home.

“Dad was an easygoing guy, but it was hard for him to be away from home and mom. There was an adjustment period,” says John Dinsdale, one of Bill and Doreen’s two children. “But he made great friends, the staff were great (he had a few beloved nurses), and the veterans activates, like the arts program, made Parkwood second home for him. He was happy.”

Bill spent about three years at Parkwood. After his passing Doreen made it her mission to pass along the love and care shown to her husband, to the staff that took such excellent care of him. Doreen made a donation and directed it to the funding of furniture for the 3Kent Essex staffroom, two chairs and a couch. She even crocheted a special afghan to create a “home-like” feeling in the room. She wanted to make sure the staff had a comfortable place to rest and recuperate.

“The basis of mom’s gift was a thank you, she wanted to make the staff feel as comfortable as they made dad feel,” says John. “The care offered at Parkwood, the staff and atmosphere they created was excellent. Dad was happy at Parkwood, and it was the staff that made the difference; they provided love, care and dignity and respect to my dad and the other veterans who sacrificed so much.”

Sadly Doreen never got to see the finished room, nor did she get to finish a special piece of tole art she was working on for the room.

Making sure his mother’s wishes were fulfilled, John and his wife gave up one of the tole projects she created for them. “She was making one specifically for that room, and didn’t get the chance to finish,” states John. “It’s what she would have wanted.”

Today the tole art, afghan and new furniture give the room a feeling of comfort and home. It’s a place where the 3Kent Essex staff can go to catch their breath, eat their lunch and plan their day; and for the Dinsdale family, it’s a small thank you for taking care of someone that meant so much to them.

St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation is proud to support a variety of programs and services that benefit Canada’s veterans and soldiers. If you are interested in supporting the provisions of care to the veterans, visit our Patient Care Priorities.