263 — North Shore Mews — Sunday, November 26, 2000

orman he

From page 23

patients. She did whatever was
necessary to reach and treat
her patients in an emergency.

Ellen treated patients when
possible or did emergency care
and sent them to hospitai on
the mainland. This natural
nurturer also treated dogs, cats
and one time even a horse.
Everyone trusted her judge-
ment and her healing hands.

“Lremember a man being
hit in the stomach by a log
while working in the swamp
on Bowen Island. 1 was called
co tend to his injuries. He was
in an awful condition. His
shoes are probably still in that
swamp,” recalis Elfen.

For years, this extraor:
nary lady has been involved in
evervthing that is good for
Bowen Island. On more than
one occasion, the island resi-_
dents held an Ellen Dorman
Appreciation Day and presenz-
ed her with various plaques for

her untiring service to the
itv. On one such

occasion, Ellen was presented
with a beautifidl handmade
quilt with names of several
island people on it, creatively

nade by Edith Forst. On
another occasion, she received
an original oil painting by a
loca) artist.

This energetic and remark-
able lady was a prime instiga-
tor for the construction of St.
Gerard's Catholic Church on
Bowen Island, which was con-
secrated on June 18, 1972.
The Bowen Island Straw berry
Tea, which paid for the build-
ing, became an annual event,
she notes.

Naturally, Ellen is a mem-
ber of many associations where
her assistance has been indis-
pensable through the years.
She also helped to raise money
for a first-aid station

Elten was also an integral
part of a special group of] pto-
ple who worked together to

‘Special. Includes:

¢ Complete. vehicle

SENIORS

d's present
ippen Provincial Park and to
the old Unicn Steamship

store rebuilt and declared a
heritage building. Her ascom-
plishments do not stop there.

Ellen became a founding
member of the Royal
Canadian Legion Auxiliary and
was the driving force behind
the building of a legion facility
on Bowen Island. Ske raised
money through bazaars, bake
sales and donations. For her
hard work and involvement,
she received the legion’s high-
est merit badge and a life
membership for service sbove
and beyond the call of duty.
Also, the Bowen Island
Firefighters presented her with
an award for her service to the
conimiunity.

It was no wonder that in
1979 Ellen received the presti-
gious honour of being chosen

Bowen Island’s First Citizen of

the Year.
For 40 years Elien was

e Lube,

inspection ©

egi

Bowen Island’s Angel of the
{sland, and only with the
replacement of both knee
while in her 70: she curtail

After her beloved Percy pas
away in 1982 trom lung can-
len, ther age 72, joined
orth Shore Nursing,
Homemakers, commuting
from Bowen Island to North
and West Vancouver. She did
, palliative-care nucsing
until she retired at age 81, and
was presented with a plaque
from the association, for her
outstanding service.

‘This millennium year, Ellen
and her daughter, Mary Ellen,
spent just short of four
months on a fascinating adven-
ture. Their trip encompassed
travelling via the Royal
Olympic Cruises Lines’ Sreila
Solaris stopping at various
ports of call, taking Athen’s
fast ferry to ‘Santorini, and vis-
iting several stops where they
enjoyed lively Greek music,

oil’ and _ filter
ull drake

inspection © Tire rotation *. Block heater test
© Battery blanket continuity test ° MIDTRORICS™
battery test ¢ Check and top up fluids

On OF

good friends and quality Greek
food. They then took a fast
rainy to. London and St. Ives
for more family gatherings
betore boarding the Queen
Elizabeth [Hw cress the
Adantic. These evo gadabout
gals stopped at Montreal, then
New Brunswick — the place
where maternal ancestors
arrived trom Ireland, then
onto Toronto to visit with
more family, before tinally
i Canada via train to
ncouver, and home.
hroughout their adven-
ture of a lifetime, Elen: now
90, was wined, dined and cele-
brated throughout the various
ports of call along the U. S.
West Coast, and throughout
the Mediterranean. For her
added excitement while cross-
ing the Adantic, Mother
Nature provided a hurricane
for her to witness. Ellen took
all happenings in her stride
and enjeved every second it.
Through the years, Ellen

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Owen

somehow found time for her
hobbies: hooking rugs, oil and
‘lic painting (still life,
pes and landscapes) and
embroidery. Elfen still main-
tains her home on Bowen, but
spends most of her time here
on the North Shore, at her
daughter's West Van home.
tly, the Bowen Island
Society was given a
grant to produce a video
recounting Ellen’s life story,
particularly her years on
Bowen Island — what a wib-
ute to their Angel of the
Island. It is no wonder that
articles about Elfen have
appeared throughout the year
in various newspapers. The
North Shore community is
proud ofits treasures and
Ellen is definitely a treasure.
Vikki Finkbetner is a North
Vancouver writer. If you know of
someone who might make an
interesting profile, send your
iden to Vikki c/o North Shore
News. Or email viksyd@telus.net.

what's on
for seniors

Guys & Dolls: Join the West
Vancouver Seniors’ Centre to
sce. this seasons plays at the
Playhouse Theatre. They. buy
the tickets and s supply the
transportation. 925-
7280.

Seniors Tennis Association:
Social tennis for seniors, 55+,
at various locations on the
North Shore. Info: 929-0720
or 929-3271.

The ABCs of Fraud Team of
senicr volunteer speakers may
be -booked by groups of
seniors. This is an interactive,
enjoyable. opportunity. for
seniors to learn about scam -
recognition, prevention tips
and available community .
resources. For more informa-.
tion call 521-1235.

Al-acon Family Groups:
meet daily offering’ support-
ive, confidential sessions for
ies and friends of alco-
holies. Info: 688-1716." °°
=< Sharon Cocomile

Mike Lee

Carter” Chev. Olds. is
pleased to anncunce that
Mike Lee has joined’ our
sales team. e has
Considerable Norin.. Shore:
vehicle’ sales: experience,
to help you. with every
aspect of the car buying
experience. Mike would
like .to walcome ail of. his
Past and present cus-
tomers to stop by, visit and
see all the new and used.
vahicles Carter Crev Olds,
has in stock. ,

_ 45 MARINE DRIVE,
_ NORTH VANCOUVER

_, Chesy Store".
987-5251