Thursday, May 26, 2005
To: Ms. Isobel Petrie: Dear Isobel, I was saddened to read of Hazel's passing in the G&M yesterday. I doubt if you would possibly remember me - I came to the East York Health Unit as a very green & nervous young PHN in 1960, staying for two years. But I remember you, Hazel & Mrs. Purcell very well & with great affection for your guidance & encouragement during a difficult time in my life. Although I spent most of my nursing career in critical care after I left you, around raisng my family, I returned to the community about 10 years ago & established several street nursing clinics for homeless men in various shelters in downtown Toronto. I was employed f/t at the wonderful Good Shepherd Refuge for many years after I set up their nursing clinic in 1997, & was able then to dust off my mental archives & put into practice what I learned from you & Hazel as a PHN. I really do love my homeless men, & alhough I am myself semi-retired now, still have a nursing clinic once a week that I started 4 years ago, at my church (Bloor St. United) for the local homeless folks. I am sorry that Hazel's death should be the means of getting in touch with you again after all these years, but I do want you to know that I have always remembered both of you with gratitude & affection. Sincerely, Marion Ritchie RN
