Home is where you make it

As an adventurous young woman who moved to the other side of the world, Anne Downs has an easy-going attitude to where she makes her home. 

Born and raised in Toronto, Anne began her career as a nurse. Curious about her distant relatives in Australia she decided to try living down under. While working as a pediatric nurse in Melbourne Anne met Philip, a young widower raising two small children. 

Philip was a professor who had family back in Canada. He decided to move to London, Ontario to teach at Western University – but couldn’t stop thinking about Anne. He wrote to her asking her to return and marry him. She happily accepted his proposal. The two married and soon after added to their growing family by welcoming a third child.

This year, Anne, now 79, chose Mount Hope Centre for Long Term Care as her new home, which provides her with the kind of care and support she needs nowadays.

When Anne first arrived at Mount Hope she was welcomed into the special programs and activities, such as musical entertainment and gardening. Being a part of the vibrant daily life at Mount Hope helps new residents like Anne get to know each other and feel comfortable in their surroundings. Many of these resources are made possible through gifts to St. Joseph’s annual fundraising campaign Season of Celebration.

Now in its 29th year, donations to Season of Celebration will help refresh recreational space at Mount Hope that residents like Anne can enjoy every day. These social spaces will be outfitted with brand new furniture and activities. Whether it’s an early morning coffee with a puzzle, or a lively game of shuffleboard with the family in the evening, residents can take part in their favourite activity whenever they want.

Anne may have retired from the bustling Christmas activities like cooking a big family meal, but she’s very much looking forward to this holiday season and seeing what new traditions living at Mount Hope will bring.