Volunteers with Creative Retirement
Kathleen Hitchcock
Giselle Kovacs
(1998)
Creative Retirement Pioneers
Volunteers with Creative Retirement
Kathleen Hitchcock
Giselle Kovacs
(1998)
Creative Retirement Pioneers
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Kathleen read about it in the newspaper; Giselle heard about it from Age and Opportunity. It all began with Do-in, deep breathing, meditation, exploring the senses, reflexology and more. What, you may ask, is 'it'? A Personal Growth Course taught by Farrell Fleming in 1978. This was the beginning of Creative Retirement, known in those days as The Institute for Continuing Development in Retirement of Manitoba. Two of the people who attended this course were Kathleen Hitchcock and Giselle Kovacs. From this course a Personal Growth Exploration Group evolved in 1979. Kathleen and Giselle were members. This teaching team led programs for residents in various personal care homes. The team also gave demonstrations and workshops for social workers in personal care homes in Winnipeg and Selkirk, to Sociology of Aging classes at both of our universities, and to nurses and staff in St. Boniface Hospital. Like the Personal Growth Group, the Seniors Massage Team evolved from a variety of C.R.M.'s massage courses. This team of about 19 people, begun in 1982, included Giselle. A grant from New Horizons provided money for 10 massage tables which were transported along with the members to nursing homes and hospitals. Every week the team provided massage to all residents who wanted it. They also taught massage techniques in the schools. In April of 1986 the Massage Team was presented with The Mayor's Volunteer Service Award. Kathleen manned the office for two weeks while Farrell Fleming was away in California. No easy task, but she proved to be an adequate replacement. She was treasurer of Creative Retirement in 1984 and 1985 and served on the Board of Directors for four years. Kathleen has made good use of her knowledge of reflexology in her personal life. Every time she visits her great grandnieces and great grandnephews they want her to give them a reflexology treatment! Giselle and Kathleen have attended Creative Retirement courses every year since its beginning. They enjoy the variety of courses offered each term. This year both women reached the age of ninety-two. These women are warm-hearted, caring people with many common interests, such as massage, personal growth, Christianity and a commitment to Creative Retirement. They know the value of giving and receiving hugs. Giselle and Kathleen feel that Creative Retirement has been one of the greatest experiences in their lives. They have fully enjoyed the volunteer work they have done with this organization. These two women are the embodiment of Creative Retirement. It has been a privilege and a joy to know them as friends.
By Blanche Parsons |  Katheleen Hitchcock
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