91原创鈥檚 Dorscie Paterson celebrated her 108th birthday on Monday, Jan. 25, with about two dozen friends and relatives gathered outside the Cedar Hill residential care facility near 91原创 Memorial Hospital where the longtime community activist lives.
They waved and sang 鈥楬appy Birthday鈥� from outside, accompanied by a Scottish piper, while Paterson smiled and waved from inside in order to respect COVID-19 safety regulations, touching her hand to the glass when well-wishers did the same.
Friend Steve Greenlee, a regular visitor who has known her more than 30 years, said Paterson was frustrated by her enforced isolation.
鈥淪he鈥檚 bored,鈥� he told the 91原创 Advance Times.
鈥淪he鈥檚 a people person.鈥�
Bonnie Greenlee, Steve鈥檚 spouse, noted that a few days prior to her birthday, Paterson mentioned she would prefer 107, or 106 to 108.
READ ALSO: 91原创鈥檚 Dorscie Paterson turns 107
鈥淪he just doesn鈥檛 like the number,鈥� Greenlee remarked.
鈥淪he thinks it鈥檚 getting too high.鈥�
Paterson has said she hopes coronavirus restrictions ease enough that she can attend the official opening of the new 91原创 hospice.
One of the visitors, retired MLA Rich Coleman said the new hospice should recognize Paterson鈥檚 contribution.
鈥淭hey should name the place after her,鈥� said Coleman, who has known Paterson for decades.
鈥淪he鈥檚 just an amazing lady.鈥�
Paterson spent more than three decades advocating for a stand-alone hospice residence for 91原创.
In 2005, it opened across from 91原创 Memorial with 10 beds.
Paterson went on to drive and volunteer at the hospice for many years.
Jeannine McCarthy, a long-time friend who convinced Paterson to join the hospice board, described her as a 鈥渨onderful, wonderful woman.鈥�
鈥淪he鈥檚 done so much in her life to help people,鈥� McCarthy commented.
When asked in the past about the secret to her longevity, Paterson, who has outlived her husband and son, said it was all about keeping busy and doing something good in the community.
鈥淜eep your mind going. Study. Think. And if you see something that needs help, or you can do something about it, like I did about the hospice, do it! Don鈥檛 stand around. Do it right now. Don鈥檛 sit on your backside and hold your hands.鈥�
Because of the pandemic, Paterson couldn鈥檛 attend the sod-turning for the new hospice.
READ ALSO: Construction underway on 91原创鈥檚 new hospice residence
The new 15-bed facility currently being constructed on 52nd Avenue at 219A Street will have space for patients and their families, including private rooms for patients, a dedicated sanctuary, and family kitchen, laundry and washroom.
It will be able to care for about 350 people a year, up from the current hospice capacity of 238 patients.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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