Annette has a way of describing support, “It means knowing that you’re not alone.” She learned what that felt like at Hawthorn Park, on the days when worry settled over her, and she hadn’t said a word about it. “They would stop, ask how I was doing, and take the time to listen…That kindness means more than people realize.”
Annette grew up as the sixth of fifteen children in New Brunswick. In Grade 10, she left school to care for her younger siblings. It was one of the hardest things she’d ever done. She loved learning. But she understood what was being asked of her, and she stepped forward.
She married Romain in 1961. They moved across the country to Terrace, British Columbia, raised three children, and built a life together through hard work and determination.
When Romain’s Parkinson’s disease began to progress, they started planning carefully. They toured several retirement communities. When they walked through the doors at Hawthorn Park, their son turned to her almost immediately. “Mom, I think this is the place for you and Dad.”
Annette agreed. The atmosphere felt genuine. People were socializing and living full lives. And knowing that Orchard Manor – a long-term care option – was on the same campus gave them both peace of mind for whatever came next.
What surprised her most after moving in was how quickly support arrived – a team member stopping to check in, help available before she had to ask twice. In 2025, as Romain’s needs increased, he moved to Orchard Manor. The transition was hard. But they still share meals, coffee, and daily life together. The campus keeps them close.
“The staff don’t just see residents…They see people with stories, families, and emotions. Knowing that someone is looking out for both of us – that provides tremendous comfort.”
That sense of being has changed something in her. Her motto has always been that you’re never too old to learn – and at Hawthorn Park, she has found plenty of ways to prove it. She joins programs, tries new things, and stays involved. “Being involved brings me comfort, purpose, and happiness,” she says. Around the coffee table, in the dining room, she also makes a point of checking in on others. Asking how they’re doing. Staying long enough to hear the answer. “Sometimes people simply need someone to listen. I try to be that person.”
“Each change creates room for something new.”
For Annette, what came next was a place where someone finally looked after her, too. For the first time in a long life of caring for others, she knows what it feels like to truly Be Supported.
