Categories: N-S

Reid, Vivian Alice

Vivian graduated from Rest Haven Hospital in Sidney in 1936.   In 1921 the Seventh Day Adventist Church had bought the property and it was made into a health centre, including a training school for nurses.  It became a General Hospital in 1949 and in 1966 replaced by a new hospital.

Contents of Biographical File

This folder of material relates to Vivian Reid’s graduation from Resthaven Hospital in Sidney in 1936, including photographs, and historical information on Resthaven.  All material is photocopied.

See OH 146

Born and raised in Kenora, Nora had a varied career as a neurological nurse, chief negotiator for the BC Nurses’ Union and a vice-chairman of the BC Labour relations board. She also excelled at curling, representing BC at the national mixed championships.

Contents of Biographical File

Obituary

Smith (nee Anderson), Irene

Irene Anderson was recruited from her position with BC Mental Health Services in spring 1942 to operate a hospital at Hastings Park Internment Camp for Japanese residents.  Her duties included administering the hospital, supervising patient care, supervising staff, and training aides to supplement the professional nursing staff.  Male and female patients and young children, as well as those suffering from TB, were segregated.  Patients with more serious medical issues were transferred to VGH.  In September 1942 Irene resigned to enroll in the Teaching and Supervision diploma program at UBC School of Nursing.

Photograph shows Irene Anderson (centre) with nurses at the Hastings Park Hospital for the Japanese in 1942.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Biographical information by Ethel Warbinek
2. “Nikkei Memories” in The Bulletin Literary Supplement: A Journal for and About the Nikkei Community (April 1996)

Siddons, Pauline A.J. (1919-1999)

Pauline Siddons played a major leadership role in the nursing profession, particularly in the late 1960s and early 1970s, helping break down the stigma of mental illness through educating BC public health nurses about ways to re-introduce the mentally ill back into the community following their long term institutionalization in mental health hospitals.

Pauline was born in Saskatoon and graduated from the Saskatoon City Hospital.  She served from 1944-46 with RCAMC, and in 1947 completed a certificate in Public Health Nursing at UBC.  Later she completed a BSN in administration and supervision at UofT.

Pauline worked for BC Public Health Nursing in a number of communities.  From 1969 to 1981 she worked in Victoria as a consultant to Public Health staff, with special responsibility for increasing emphasis on mental health issues as part of the generalized public health nursing program.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Nomination materials for the RNABC Memorial Book, prepared by Glennis Zilm.
2. Letter from Helen Shore to Monica Green, May 26, 1999.
3. Letter from Monica Green to Helen Shore, May 31, 1999.
4. Biographical notes
5. Photograph
6. Obituary

Schnurr (nee Sabourin), Therese M. (1926-2016)

• See OH165

Therese Sabourin grew up in Ottawa, becoming a member of the Sisters of Providence in 1948.  She attended St. Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing in Vancouver, graduating in 1956.  She later received her BA from Seattle University and her Master’s from the University of Washington.  She worked at a number of hospitals in Western Canada, retiring from Chilliwack General Hospital in 1988.  She served as the Director of Nursing Services for RNABC.

Therese reflected on the history of nursing during her career as a process of nurses gradually gaining more respect, for which she considered education to be key.  She was a member of a number of committees and professional organizations which she felt had given her a broader view of nursing and the factors influencing decision-making.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Biographical Information Profile
2. Biographical release form
3. “Profile”, RNABC News (1970), p. 13.
4. [Nomination information], The Canadian Nurse, April 1976, p. 29.  Later information
5. with no source, but probably from The Canadian Nurse.
6. Obituary

Scaia, Margaret (ca. 1954-

After twenty years manufacturing outdoor equipment for Mountain Equipment Co-op and Eco-Marine, Margaret enrolled in Selkirk College’s nursing program.  After graduation with a Governor General’s Bronze Medal for academic achievement, she continued her education with a Bachelor, Masters and PhD.  Margaret is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Victoria.  In 2015 she received the honour of distinguished Alumni from Selkirk College and is an active member of CAHN.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Biographical information
2. Photograph

Sarvela (nee Buckland), Mary “Molly” Richards (1913-2004)

Many Sitka, Alaska residents have commended Mary for her extensive civic involvements. She was recreation director at the Sitka Pioneer Home, organized and was President of the Sitka Community Auxiliary, hosted an annual salmon bake at her home for the Sitka Summer Music Festival, and contributed her energy to many other community organizations.  The Sitka Chamber of Commerce’s “Cossack Cap” award recognized these many accomplishments.

Mary was born in New Zealand and graduated from the VGH School of Nursing in 1937.  After her marriage in 1940, she moved to Sitka, where from 1955 to 1975 she was a general duty nurse and supervisor, later becoming recreational director.  Her energy and commitment inspired many.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Biographical Information Profile
2. Biographical information
3. Mary Richards, “What Nursing Means to Me”.
4. “Sitka’s Faith in Action” Newsletter
5. In support of Sarvela’s nomination for the Cossack Cup Award.
6. Photocopied article and letter on Richards.
7. Photograph (1988)
8. Ardyce Czuchna-Curl, “Mary Sarvela:  How to Live Life to the Fullest”, Daily
9. Sitka Sentinel, Sitka, Alaska, August 15, 2003.
10. Biographical information
11. Funeral program

Roach, Julie (Sister Scholastica) (1927-2017)

• See OH156.5

Julie was born on a Saskatchewan farm, the child of immigrants from Russia. She moved to Seattle and joined the Sisters of Providence for her novitiate and served this order for 20 years as Sister Scholastica She graduated from St Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing and  with a BASc(N) from UBC in 1959. Julie left the sisterhood in 1968. She spent her early nursing career at St. Paul’s Hospital.  In 1968 she married and spent the remainder of her career working at the Dartmouth Regional Vocational School Nova Scotia, where she taught the LPN program for 20 years. Julie was an excellent seamstress and taught sewing classes. She is survived by her husband, James, of 49 years, a son and grandchildren.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Biographical information Profile with handwritten notes
2. Oral History Recording Agreement form
3. Photographs:  1 b&w; 1966 St. Paul’s Hospital, OR supervisor Sr. Scholastica with
4. latest heart   monitoring equipment; 4 colour  wedding photo 1968 and July 30, 2014.
5. Note from Gloria Stephens, August 29, 2014.
6. Obituary, Halifaxtoday, October 27, 2017.

Radom, Lenore (1945-

Lenore began her nursing career as a LPN and in 1972, graduated from Royal Jubilee Hospital School of Nursing.  After graduation and subsequent employment at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, she worked at BC Children’s Hospital and Richmond General Hospital for 10 years before becoming an instructor with the Richmond School Board. Lenore served in many capacities during her seventeen years on the Richmond Delta Chapter of RNABC – was president for more than 12 years. She was awarded Honorary Membership in the RNABC in 1977.

Lenore is currently active with the BC History of Nursing Society as chair of the website committee and member of others. Her volunteer work includes teaching Breast Self-Examination. She is very proud of her aboriginal heritage. Her mother is a full status member of the Cree Nation

Contents of Biographical File

1. Biography for Pages of History
2. Photograph

Oxholm (nee Oliver), Sheila (1937-

Sheila grew up in an English mining family.  She graduated from Dudley Road Hospital in Birmingham, obtained a Diploma in Respiratory Disease and SRM in Midwifery, with further training in neonatal nursing at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. After emigrating to Canada, she worked at the Montreal General Hospital  1962-63, as a midwife at St. Stephen’s Hospital in Newfoundland, and St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver from 1963-1967 and again from 1969-1972. In 1972, she completed a BSN at UBC. Sheila had an extensive nursing career working in the burn unit at VGH, Assistant Director of Nursing at Riverview Hospital and a teaching position at Vancouver Community College. She retired in 2001.

Her memorable experiences include treating polio patients with homemade portable respirators.  As a consultant for the provincial government she travelled throughout the north, learning about the north and nursing in small hospitals.

Contents of Biographical File

1. Biographical Information Profile with extra notes.
2. Signed biographical agreement
3. Photograph