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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2014-06-25, Page 1618 News Record • Wednesday, June 25, 2014 Community memorial recognizes the lady with a soft heart Mary Donnelly ensured that those with developmental challenges lived dignified lives Dave Sykes Special to the News Record For all of its storied 55 -year history, Community Living -Central Huron (CL - CH), has ensured that the less fortunate and those with developmental disabilities lived meaningful, dignified lives and were an inclusive and productive part of their community. True to its mission state- ment, calling for "people to live in dignity and share in all aspects of living in their community; no one epito- mized the organization's broad vision of social inclu- sion and participation more than Mary Donnelly. The selfless advocate for those in need, championed the local initiative in helping the challenged achieve their goals and dreams over an exemplary 32 -years of ser- vice to CL -CH up to her death in 2012. On Saturday, June 14, with family members present, Mary was honored with the unveiling of a memorial outside the Community Living building that she was so instrumental in getting built. "Mary believed in inclu- sion, she lived her beliefs ever day of her life and that passion extended beyond life," Mary's husband Jim Donnelly told a gathering of CL families and supporters at the unveiling. "I have one thought; that Mary's memo- rial is appropriate and the form of the memorial is appropriate as she was a lady of concrete and steel." While Huron -Bruce Con- servative MP Ben Lobb con- ceded that Mary was indeed "a lady of concrete and steel in a way," he added that "she had a soft heart and I loved Mary. She was a great lady." Introduced to Community Living in 1980 by Bonnie Graham, a pioneer who began teaching children with disabilities in 1959 so 'GODEP1CH 524-7B11y-J 8:00 Nightly June 27 - July 03 Fri -TUB 6:45 & 9:15 Wed & Thur 8`0O THEY'RE HOT 21 ANYMORE www.rnQuielirlks.ca :Iw{,,-1-ROD-2 5-343B efuetrataeatetw, Danielle Van Wyk on your graduation from the University of Windsor with a Bachelor of Social Work Honours with Distinction We are looking forward to see where God will guide you as you begin the next chapter of life. Love Mom, Dad and Jessica nave SyKes special to the News Kecoro Louis Thauvette and Bob Mitchell proudly unveil the Mary E. Donnelly Memorial on the grounds of Community Living - Central Huron Saturday, June 14. The memorial recognizes the contribution and dedication to Community Living by Donnelly over 32 years of volunteer service. Community Living celebrated its 55th anniversary with an open house and the unveiling of a Wall of Memories at its Suncoast Drive location. they could participate in their community in a forma- tive way, Mary immediately took on roles of VP of the board of directors and immersed herself in all activ- ities of the committees and all facets of the board and community living. Her contribution was immediate and immeasura- ble and provided families and their children a good measure of hope and pur- pose as programs and opportunities were expanded and developed for the developmentally chal- lenged. Her goal of social inclusiveness and life with dignity was always paramount. Ever gracious and ever charming, Mary had a dis- arming and non -threatening demeanor about her that attracted volunteers and workers who wanted to for- ward the vision and get the job done. Yet, those soft, endearing qualities belied a pragmatic and dogged deter- mination that overcame obstacles and drove many projects and ideas to suc- cessful conclusions. The consummate volunteer, Mary had the abil- ity to engage people and organize programs and fun- draising activities. She sim- ply got the job done. With personal ties to com- munity living, long time board member and current treasurer, Larry Papernick, remembered Mary for her compassion and single- minded determination to make life better for others. "Community Living and what it does, was very spe- cial to my mother (Jean) and my sister Frances," he said. "Mary and my mother, along with so many other wonder- ful people who also volun- teered their time to commu- nity living - sure loved their duplicate bridge and if I said they were competitive that would be a understatement - but when it came to com- munity living and what they could do to improve the lives of those who community liv- ing supported, they shared a very common goal. " They wanted to see that those who were less fortu- nate and who had disabili- ties, could enjoy the same opportunities that life can offer to all of us." ENGAGEMENT PARTY FOR �� MattTA.r g• � PopJ SATURDAY, JUNE 28TH, 2014 AT THE CLINTON FISH & GAME 8PM-? MUSIC, GAMES & PRIZES Sharon Scruton and Linda Reid proudly unveil the Wall of Memories, a pictorial board of photos, articles and memories that chronicles the 55 -year history of Community Living — Central Huron. The unveiling was part of an open house and memorial unveiling at CL -CH Saturday, June 14. The memorial, unveiled by Louis Thauvette and Bob Mitchell on the lawn of Com- munity Living's Suncoast Drive location, was embla- zoned with the inspirational words: Dignity, Respect, Inclusion, Valued and Inde- pendence, written by Donnel- ly's young granddaughter, Mary Murdock, who also sang before the unveiling. The work by Jim Wallace, features a ring of 10 figures, arms linked, like an extension of Mary's own family. The day's events were designed to recognize the 55th anniversary of Commu- nity Living and in his remarks Papernick praised the efforts of the professional staff for delivering topnotch services and for their dedica- tion in support of the agen- cy's vision and role in the community. Chartered in Goderich in 1959 as the Goderich and District Association for Retarded Children, Commu- nity Living - Central Huron now provides residential ser- vices, day options and in- home support to over 100 adults with developmental disabilities in the Clinton and Goderich area. It also administers programs pro- viding countywide services to about 300 individuals, children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. Guests were treated to cele- bratory cake and refresh- ments and in a special cere- mony, Sharon Scruton, Linda Reid, Ken Purdon and Joanne Dundass unveiled the Wall of Memories, an impressive col- lection of photographs, arti- cles and memories, detailing and chronicling 55 years of service to the community liv- ing community. The unveiling of the Mary E. Donnelly Memorial and celebration of 55 years of service to the community's challenged citizens paid fit- ting tribute to the many peo- ple who have given unself- ishly of themselves to help the less fortunate. A timeworn adage sug- gests that in life, we get back what we give out. Mary Donnelly, over a life- time, gave out a ton of com- passion, commitment, dedi- cation, inspiration, respect and unconditional inclusion and love. She lived and espoused the ideals of treat- ing all of the community's citizens with respect, dignity and inclusion. Last week, the community returned the love. • Amber-LeigI Durand Registered Massage T'erayist Accepting New Clients Amber -Leigh is a therapeutic/rehabilitation therapist who focuses on conditions such as: • Acute sport, Occupational and Motor Vehicle Injuries • Chronic pain • Tendonitis • Pregnancy Related Symptoms • Headaches/Migraines 13" -fact The Clinton Chiropractic & Wellness Centre at: 519-482-3481