Mary MacLeod dedicates 40 years to volunteering

Volunteer Mary Macleod is among the recipients celebrating a 40-year career milestone.  Here’s her story.

For more than four decades, Mary Macleod has been a steadfast and dedicated volunteer at St. Joseph’s Health Care London (St. Joseph’s). Volunteering both her time and talents, Mary reflects back to her first few years as a volunteer.

“It really all began as a way to meet people,” says Mary, who immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1969 with her husband and two young children. “I was looking for a way to get involved in a city where I was eager to meet new people.”

With a knack for knitting, Mary started volunteering in the then perinatal program at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She would hand knit little caps and clothing for the premature babies on the unit.

“It was a long time ago so it’s hard to remember everything,” laughs Mary. “But I still have the knitting pattern that I used when I volunteered in that unit. It does bring back a few memories. I also helped conduct hearing tests on the children.”

This year, Mary is one of 700 staff, physicians and volunteers celebrating career milestones as part of St. Joseph's Service Recognition Program. Every year, St. Joseph’s recognizes the contributions of all those who have reached milestones – in increments of five- from five to 45 years of service.

During her time as a volunteer, Mary also helped out in the Veterans Care Program at St. Joseph’s Parkwood Institute. She has worked both in the Iron Duke Pub, visiting with war veterans, and as a long-standing volunteer in the library.

Mary, who also joined the Ladies Auxiliary to Lambeth Legion 501 in 1983, recalls her many fond visits with the veterans.

“Mystery and Western books,” says Mary with excitement. “I always made sure I had great books stocked in both those genres because they are often the veteran’s favorites. Some would also want a book on a specific ship from the war so I would help them look that up or make sure to get that book in.”

Mary adds that she also had great visits simply chatting with the veterans during coffee runs or visits. She would spend her time getting to know them and writing brief write up to post at their bedside so visitors or new staff could learn more about them.

“It was a way to learn about the veterans and spark conversation with them,” she adds. “This helps them and people who visit.”

Over her 40 years of service, Mary also notes how her time spent volunteering has also helped her in return.

“I’m glad I made the effort to get involved in the community when I first moved here,” says the now 82-year-old volunteer. “It’s become such an important part of my life. It’s also helped my health mental and gave me a fulfilling purpose. Visiting with the veterans has kept my mind sharp - and I continue to enjoy every moment.”

St. Joseph’s congratulates all of our 2023 service recognition recipients who are making career milestones this year.