Lois Fairley Award Winners Announced
9-5-2022
Retired nurses who came back to the profession to assist our community during the COVID-19 pandemic were honoured at the 15th Annual Lois Fairley Nurse of the year Community Service Award announced Monday at Windsor’s City Hall Square.
The Award recognizes a Windsor-Essex nurse or nurses demonstrating a commitment to serving the community through excellence in delivering nursing care.
The winners are “nurses who did something that’s just amazing,” says John Fairley, one of Lois Fairley’s three sons.
“The retired nurses who went back to the frontline when the call went out in Windsor and Essex County – that’s who our award winners are this year.”
“I want to thank the Fairley family for recognizing the retired nurses on behalf of their Mom for the Louis Fairley award,” says David Musyj, CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital.
“It has been all “hands on deck” during this pandemic. To all the individuals that came back after their retirement to help in this regard is greatly appreciated and commendable.”
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens, says the retired nurses helped navigate the community through the pandemic.
“All of you had moved on to retirement and said we’re going be here, help the community and it’s so impressive what you have done to help this community get to where we are today.”
Mary Louise Drake, 82, was one of several retired nurses recognized for her commitment to nursing.
“Part of what you do as a nurse is help. I wanted to be there and be one of those people reassuring them. I care about people and I like to take care of them.”
Lois was a graduate of the Salvation Army Grace Hospital's nursing program in 1955.
She spent her career serving patients at Grace Hospital in Windsor as a registered nurse and head nurse on various floors.
She also served the nursing profession as a member of the Provincial Board of Directors of R.N.A.O., served as President of the Ontario Nurses Association (O.N.A.) and was a member of the St. Clair College Nursing Program Advisory Committee (P.A.C.).
“We are here today as a family, remembering our mother but really recognizing nursing and what you do every day,” says Brian Fairley, one of Lois’s three sons.