Here’s a thoughtful gesture, from one group of seniors to another.
In honour of graduation, a group of senior residents at West Vancouver’s Hollyburn House was asked to share their best advice and wisdom to graduating high school seniors on the North Shore, and they were more than happy to oblige.
“I loved high school, and I wouldn’t change a thing,” said Barbara Pierce, an 89-year old Hollyburn House resident who graduated from Verdun High School in Montreal in 1951. “I would tell all graduates to work hard, follow your dreams and always weave love, laughter and music into your life.”
Elaine Wilson graduated Camrose High School in 1944, three days after D-Day. With only three boys in the graduating class, her teacher visited the army base and asked the Colonel to send over eight members of the army university corps so the students could have a dance. She also let all the girls borrow an outfit, with Wilson wearing a sealskin cape lined with red crape.
Doug Williamson, who graduated St. Catharines Collegiate in 1947, is 93 years old and has words of wisdom he’d like to share.
“Always listen to your parents,” said Williamson, adding that his dad took him to the bank for a job interview and he ended up having a very successful banking career.
Margery Anderson, who graduated in 1944 from YearBury Commercial School, is also 93.
“Ration what you need,” she offered as advice to grads. Her entire class chipped in to buy a graduation cake to celebrate the big day.
“I love talking to our residents, learning more about what they did and listening to their advice. It’s always good,” said Ellen D’Arcy, director of active living at Hollyburn House. She helped the residents collect their graduation memories. “It is interesting to me that as much as things change, they also stay the same – their advice – ‘follow your dreams, listen to your parents, travel, ration (consider what you need, share the load with others),’ it so relevant and is a real touch point for me. What a wonderful way to spend time.”
