Flags to fly at half-mast to honour NHH Auxiliary volunteers who passed away in the last year
The flags outside the main entrance at Northumberland Hills Hospital (NHH) will fly at half-mast tomorrow, Thursday, July 23, in honour of thirteen NHH Auxiliary volunteers who are known to have passed away over the last year. Combined, these volunteers contributed over 210+ years of service to the hospital.
This annual ‘in memoriam’ flag lowering, coordinated to coincide with the Auxiliary’s annual meeting, was initiated by NHH to specifically honour those volunteers who are known to have passed in the last 12 months.
With close to 35,000* hours of service logged in the past calendar year (2025) by approximately 300 individual volunteers, across 18 service areas, Auxiliary members contribute to the hospital in a variety of unique and important ways that help enhance patient and provider experience across the hospital and raise funds to support capital equipment priorities.
Today, volunteers welcome patients and guests upon arrival, provide wayfinding assistance, deliver water to patient rooms, and offer support and companionship to patients and families throughout the hospital, including the Emergency Department, Day Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging waiting room, Intensive Care Unit, Palliative Care and Cancer Care areas.
Specially trained volunteers also engage in patient therapeutic activities through the Hospital Elder Life Program to help prevent delirium and functional decline during hospitalization.
Beyond direct patient support, volunteers serve customers in the Little Treasure Shop gift shop located in the main entrance and by sorting, pricing, and selling donated items at Petticoat Lane, the hospital's community thrift store. Together, these dedicated individuals contribute thousands of hours each year, enriching the patient and visitor experience while helping raise funds for essential capital equipment that strengthens care for the entire community.
“We are so grateful for the many talented and dedicated NHH Auxiliary volunteers who give of their time to support NHH patients and families. The annual flag lowering is a way to remember those volunteers who have passed this year, and to recognize their contributions to the hospital and their commitment to fostering a positive relationship with patients, families, staff, providers and partners,” said Susan Walsh, NHH President and CEO.
On July 23, we remember the following active Auxiliary volunteers, who passed away in the last year:
Robert “Bob” McKenzie, 2019-2025: 6 years
We also remember the following past Auxiliary volunteers who passed away in the last year:
Margaret Helen Dillon, 2005-2008: 3 years
Fay Doreen Farmer, 2003-2011: 8 years
Yvonne Green, 2000-2021: 21 years
Margaret Carrie Harrington, 2003-2020: 17 years
Shirley Elizabeth Nellie Hinman, 1961-unknown: 50+ years
Susanna Marie Thérèse Lacroix, 2011-2012: 1 year
Moira Patricia Lawrence, 2002-2013: 11 years
Kaitlin Bailey Newton, 2014-2015: 1 year
Robert Stubbs, 2004-2023: 19 years
Dorothea Lorrain Lori Wensley, 1971-2016: 45 years
Gail S. Winstone, 2003-2017: 14 years
Glorya Woods, 2002-2016: 14 years
For more information about the NHH Auxiliary Volunteers, please visit our website at nhh.ca.