Categories: L-M

Moore (nee Maryka), Kari (1926-

Kari Moore grew up on a farm southwest of Edmonton.  She took her nursing training at the University of Alberta Hospital, and years later, in 1981, received her BA from SFU.  She worked at a number of different hospitals, mostly in British Columbia, with time out to raise a family.  She states that she especially enjoyed work in the OR.

Among her many other hats were terms as Surrey Councillor and President of the Surrey Arts Society.  In her later life she reconnected with her Ukrainian roots, and became an active fundraiser and ardent advocate on Ukrainian issues, especially the internment of Ukrainians as enemy aliens during WW I.  In 2004 she was awarded the Taras Shevchenko medal by the national Canadian Ukrainian Congress.  A poem of hers commemorating the great famine in the Ukraine imposed by Stalin was placed on a plaque on a cairn at the National Memorial Park in Dauphin, Manitoba.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Biographical Information Profile with covering letters. Includes autobiographical sketch and poems by Kari Moore and Olecia Maryka.
2. Flyer and brochure for 8th Annual Valued Elder Recognition Awards at the Salvation Army Citadel in Victoria.
3. Descoteau, Don, “Christmas Celebrated Today,” Victoria Times Colonist, January 7, 2005, p. A5.
4. Bell, Jeff, “Cultivating Pride in Her Ukranian Roots,” Victoria Times Colonist, October 15, 2007, p. B1.
5. Notice of award of the Taras Shevchenko Medal to Kari Moore, with CV, biography, and two poems by Moore.
6. Letter from Kari Moore to Glennis Zilm, August 1, 2007.
7. Dedyna, Katherine, “From Poetry to Fundraising, Moore fought tirelessly to Raise Awareness of Ukrainian-Canadian Issues”, Victoria Times-Colonist, February 12, 2010
8. Photograph

Morrison, Ruth M (1900-1978)

Ruth Morrison was a newspaper reporter in Halifax before entering the Toronto General Hospital; School of Nursing.  After a number of jobs in Saskatchewan and the Maritimes, she took her BSN and MPH in nursing at the University of Minnesota.  In her subsequent position at UBC, she played a major role in promoting public health nursing in BC by introducing public health nursing into each year of the baccalaureate program.  This helped meet the need for more qualified public health nurses, especially in the remoter regions of the province.

Ruth was energetically active on both national and provincial health committees.  She was president of the Canadian Association of University Schools of Nursing in the 1950s, and a member of the World Health Organization’s Expert Panel on Nursing in 1951.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Nomination for CNA Memorial Book.
2. Biographical information
3. Photocopied photograph
4. “Interesting People”, The Canadian Nurse (1946), 12 (8), 671-672.
5. “Another University Appointment of Considerable Interest”
6. “Providing for Depth of Learning in a Public Health Nursing course”. Paper presented at Conference of Learned Societies, University of Saskatchewan, June 1959 2 copies
7. “Providing Opportunities for Dynamic Learning ”The Canadian Nurse (1953), 49, (2) p113.
8. Photocopied photograph

Murakami, Rose (Takako) 1937-

See also Evelyn Mallory’s biographical file.

Although born on Salt Spring Island BC,  in 1942, Rose and her family were interned as Japanese nationals during World War II, and removed to New Denver in BC’s West Kootenays and later to Alberta . In 1954, the family returned to Salt Spring where they faced continuing racism. However, the family survived and established a successful market business, growing vegetables and berries.  Rose graduated from VGH School of Nursing in 1959 and obtained a BSN from UBC and   Masters’ of Science degrees from McGill University and Boston University. She had a long career at the UBC School of Nursing as an Associate Professor, where she was a highly respected and a successful career as Vice President of Nursing at UBC Health Sciences Centre. In 1994, she became RNABC’s first Consumer Relations Representative.  On retirement, Rose returned to Salt Spring.

In 2006 fire destroyed their home, with the loss of many irreplaceable photographs and memorabilia.  In 2009 they donated a half acre of their land on Salt Spring Island, valued at $1.2 million, to build the 27-unit Murakami Gardens, Salt Springs’ first affordable housing project.  Shortly after, she and her brother had the privilege of meeting with Japan’s Emperor Akhito and Empress Michiko during their historic visit to BC.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Transcription of oral history interview, November 18, 1993.
3. “Nurses’ Association Appoints Consumer Relations Representative”, RNABC, February 18, 1994.
4. University hospital memo, January 15, 1993.
5. “Rose Murakami: Making a Difference”, RNABC RepsNews, March-April 1995, pp. 1-2.
6. Rose Murakami article published in HoH Society News, October 2009.
7. Katherine Dedyna, “Royal Rapport”, Victoria Times-Colonist, July 12, 2009.
8. Lena Sin, “Royal Audience in Victoria Threatened by Sudden Illness,” The Province July 9, 2009, p. A6.
9. Natalie North, “Duo Has a Brush with Royalty”, Gulf Islands Driftwood, July 15, 2009, pp. A1, A2.
10. Articles related to Rose Murakami and her family, including destruction of their house by fire, creation of a Japanese garden, building of a low income housing project, and their internment during World War II
11. Rose Murakami. Ganbaru: the Murakami Family on Salt Spring Island. The Japanese Garden Society of Salt Spring Island. 2005.
12. John Edo Greenway. Kimiko Murakami: A Picture of Strength. Salt Spring Today,2005, 3-5.
13. Brennan Clarke. Saltspring siblings give the gift of homes. The Globe and                          Mail. Mar.17, 2009.
14. Photograph

Murphy (nee McCutcheon), Kathleen Louise (1944-

See also oral history files fonds 18, Series 3, Subseries 8, CD0H29

Kathy Murphy was born in Port Alberni, British Columbia, and graduated from VGH in 1965 and received a Bachelor of Nursing from McGill in 1968.  After graduating from VGH, she worked there in Surgical Nursing and in 1967 at the Montreal General Hospital.  She took a number of courses at UBC and received a Master of Health Sciences from McMaster University in 1978.  Kathy worked at St. Paul’s as a surgical instructor and clinical coordinator, and at Richmond General from 1979-1989, as Director of Nursing.  She was also a lobbyist for RNABC on the Royal Commission on Health Care in 1990. Kathy married Gordon Murphy in 1982 and was widowed in 1995.

Her many professional and community involvements include the RNABC Chapter and Board, President of the Nurse Administrators’ Association of BC, Board member and Capital Campaign Chair for the RNFBC, VGH School of Nursing Alumnae Association, University Women’s Club of Vancouver, and St. Andrews Wesley United Church.  In 1990 she received the RNABC Award of Excellence in Nurse Administration.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Biographical Information Profile
2. Andrea Maitland, “Nursing Today Is More than Bedpans and Bandages”, The Vancouver Sun, September 9, 1978, p. C8.
3. Photograph
4. Oral History Summary
5. Page from BC History of Nursing

Mussallem, Helen Kathleen (1914-2012)

See Oral History files, Fonds 18, Series 3, Subseries 8

See Memorial Nursing Portrait Collection Fonds 18, Series 3, Subseries 7

Britain’s Royal College of Nursing cited Dr. Mussallem as “Canada’s most distinguished nurse in her time and generation”.  She was born to a pioneer family in Prince Rupert and graduated from VGH School of Nursing in 1937. Educated at McGill University and Columbia, she was the first Canadian nurse to earn a doctoral degree in nursing education.  From 1962 to 1981 she was executive director of the Canadian Nurses Association.  Among her many awards are honorary doctorates from six Canadian universities and appointment as a Companion of the Order of Canada.

During World War II Mussallem served with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps.  After the war she taught and directed the nursing program at the Vancouver General Hospital School of Nursing and directed the Pilot Project for Evaluation of Schools of Nursing in Canada which led to major reforms in nursing education.  Some of her major publications were crucial in influencing the transfer of nursing education to the mainstream of general post-secondary education.

She was active on over thirty international assignments and missions to improve nursing in third world countries, and  served as Board or Committee member or adviser to many national and international organizations.  She was a member of the Economic Council of Canada from 1971 to 1980.

Photograph shows Dr. Mussallem.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Biographical Information Profile
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. J.G.H. Edwards, “A Tribute to Canada’s Most Distinguished Nurse,” January 1983,
4. “Despite Wind and Rain,”, October 14, 2002.
5. Jessica Rose, “Tradition May Be Queen’s Biggest Asset”, Ottawa Citizen, October 17, 2002, p. A17.
6. “News: Canadians Meet Royalty at the Summit”, The Canadian Nurse, September 1972, p. 7.
7. Coat of Arms and related informationJames E. Mattison, “Still Opening Doors”,
8. James E. Mattison, “Still Opening Doors”, Reflections on Nursing Leadership, 29 (2),Cover + pp 10-15.
9. Louise McKay, “She Has Big Job at VGH But Sneaks Back to Wards”, TheVancouver Sun, August 8, 1951, p. 20.
10. Citation for Mussallem’s receipt of honorary doctorate, June 6, 1998.
11. “Too Busy to Retire”
12. 12.”Canada Awards Go to 35”, 1969.
13. “CNF Scholars Celebrate Foundation’s 10th Year”, The Canadian Nurse, September 1972, p. 8.
14. Helen Mussallem, “Remembering Yesterday”, RNABC News, May-June 1989, p.27.
15. Invitation, with photographs, to Mussallem’s 90th birthday party, January 8, 2005.
16. “Dr. Helen K. Mussallem Establishes Annual Fellowship”, Foundation Focus, Fall2003, p. 1.
17. Notes and other information on taped interview
18. Lifetime Achievement Award for Nursing Excellence, 2002.
19. “Significant Archival Collection”, the Canadian Nurse, November 1993.
20. Selection for Columbia University Nursing Hall of Fame
21. UBC Spring Congregation for the Conferring of Degrees, May 27, 1994.
22. Letter to Sheila Zerr, December 20, 1996.
23. Brochure for the Helen K. Mussallem Library
24. Invitation to tea, May 25, 1994.
25. Interview information
26. Correspondence with Sheila Zerr. – 1989-1996.
27. Miscellaneous materials
28. Biographical notes
29. Three photographs
30. Exhibit Materials.
31. “Mussallem Honored for Heraldic Work”, The Canadian Nurse (February 2007), p.5.“Still Opening Doors,” Reflections on Nursing Leadership, 29, No. 2 (2003), pp. 10-15.
32. CRNBC Memorial Book page for Helen Mussallem
33. “Some of Dr. Mussallem’s Firsts”
34. Obituaries: “A Decorated, Celebrated, Altruistic Activist,” The Globe and Mail, November 24, 2012, p. S15.
35. Obituary by Ethel Warbinek, BC History of Nursing Society (Spring 2013), pp. 1, 3.
36. Beth Fitzpatrick, “Remembering Helen Kathleen Mussallem”, BC History of Nursing Society (Spring 2013), pp. 4-5
37. Helen K.Mussallem – Canada’s Most Decorated Nurse – January 7, 2015-November       9, 2012. VGH School of Nursing Alumnae Association Newsletter, Spring 2013, 14-15.
38. Christmas card
39. Biographical information
40. Memorial Celebration
41. Page from Memorial Nursing Portrait Collection

McVicar (later Morgan), Isabel G. (1896-

Isabel graduated from VGH in 1919 and registered as a nurse in BC in 1920.  She spent two years specializing in surgical nursing at the Sacramento Hospital in California before joining the staff of the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, performing major surgery on patients from Tranquille.  She joined the staff at the Rotary Clinic in Vancouver and became nurse in charge on the Chest Clinic at VGH; in 1939 she received a Certificate in Public Health Nursing from UBC.

In 1938 Miss McVicar was hired to carry out a year of experimental testing in the Lower Fraser Valley for the BC Tuberculosis Society.   Her work included overseeing the tuberculin testing on eight thousand children in the Lower Fraser Valley.  In 1939-40 she expanded this work to West Vancouver and Powell River as well as New Westminster and the Lower Mainland.

Contents of Biographical File

• “Big Adventure:  This Nurse’s Job”, Your Health (1995), 20 (8), 8, 24.
• “Isabel G. McVicar” from Glennis Zilm and Ethel Warbinek, “TB Nurses in BC 1895-1960:  A Biographical Dictionary”: White Rock, 2006

McQuarrie, Frances Ulva (1914-1995)

Francis “Frankie” graduated from Vancouver General Hospital School of Nursing in 1935 and UBC School of Nursing in 1936.  Following graduation, she became a head nurse at VGH and later science instructor before joining the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Agency where she assisted in the care of displaced persons in North Africa and Italy.  On her return to BC in 1946 she worked with the Canadian Vocational Program to prepare ex-service personnel for return to civilian life.

From 1948 to 1952 she was supervisor of instruction at the University of Alberta’s School of Nursing.  Subsequently, she was Assistant Secretary for the Canadian Nurses’ Association and Assistant Registrar and Registrar of RNABC.  In 1970 she suffered a major stroke which left her dependent on hospital care until her death in 1995.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Nomination to the RNABC Memorial Book.
2. V McQuarrie. “A Refresher Course—What Then?’, The Canadian Nurse (1940), 36 (11), 759-760.
3. “Nursing Profiles”, The Canadian Nurse (1952), 48 (9), 724.
4. Frances, McQuarrie, “The Evolution of Nursing Education,” The Canadian Nurse
   199. (1955), 51 (3), 194-199.
5. RNABC new assistant registrar, RNABC News, 1957 and 1958.
6. Esther Paulson, “Frances Ulva McQuarrie: 1914-1995,” with timeline.
7. Esther Paulson, Letter to Nursing Staff of the Extended Care Unit of Surrey Memorial Hospital re F. McQuarrie, November 15, 1995.
8. Obituary notice
9. Esther Paulson, handwritten eulogy, June 1995.
10. Letter to E. Paulson from Pat Cutshall, Executive Director of the RNABC, May 25, 1995.
11. Esther Paulson, “In Memoriam: Frances Ulva McQuarrie 1914-1995”, History of Nursing News (1995), 6 (3), 14-15.
12. Photocopied photograph

McPherson (nee Glanville), Laura Alexander (1912-

Laura McPherson graduated from the Kelowna General Hospital Training School for Nurses in 1933 and spent much of her career focused on the nursing of TB patients.  She worked at Tranquille from 1933-1937 and 1940-1948, the TB Pavilion of the Royal Jubilee Hospital from 1948-1950, VGH Willow Chest from 1951-1954, Shaughnessy from 1958-1960, and Coqualeetza native TB hospital in Chilliwack from 1960 to 1965.  She recalls doing much overtime with no remuneration.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Biographical Information Profile and release form
2. Six photographs

McPherson, Debra

See Oral History Files, Fonds 18, Series 3, Subseries 8

During Debra McPherson’s Presidency of the BCNU, she negotiated a 23.5 percent wage increase for nurses.  This was the culmination of a career that began with her graduation from St. Boniface General Hospital School of Nursing in Winnipeg.  She worked briefly as a shift supervisor at Munno Yema Hospital for the Zaire American Peace Corps, and established intensive care units at the University Hospital in Edmonton and the UBC Hospital.

In the early 1980s she became active on regional BCNU committees, becoming Chair of the Vancouver Region BCNU in 1988.  In 1989 she co-led the “No Vote” campaign, a pivotal moment in the history of BCNU.  She became President of the BCNU in 1990, and was Regional Chair of the Vancouver South Region from 1994-1999.   She was Acting President of the CFNU in 1999-2000, and from 1991-2001 was Secretary-Treasurer/Vice President of CFNU.  From 2001-2002 she was President of the BCNU.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Jeff Lee, “Leader Takes a Hard Line: Nurses’ McPherson Has no Time for the Politics of Compromise,” Vancouver Sun, May 15, 2001, p. A10.
3. Embattled Nurses’ Union Set for Leadership Election. thetyee.ca/News/2014/02/21.
4. Photograph

McLennan, Juanita (1931-2008)

Juanita graduated from the Medicine Hat General Hospital in 1953.  In 1954 she travelled to Powell River for a visit and remained there to nurse.  She became a head nurse, and after having her family returned to work with Extended Care.  Finally, she spent a short time on the psychiatric unit.

Contents of Biographical File

• Transcription of Interview with Karen Southern January 28, 1989.  No recording of this interview has been located.