Anita was a brilliant administrator, with the gift of leadership, a Champion of Chedoke Hospital, promoting the book, Chedoke: More than a Sanatorium & the annual Nurses’ Reunion, the Golden Oldies.
Anita & I began at Chedoke at the same time, September 1964. I first met Anita when called to visit her in her residnce at the Long & Bisby Building, on the death of her brother. Later i met her brother, Rev Dr Andrew Isaac, a distinguished minister in Toronto, who retired to Hamilton with his wife & attended Stewart Memorial Church. I had the joy later of meeting Anita’s mother, from St Kitts, a dynamic personality, who attained her 100th year.
After conducting the Sunday Ward Service at Chedoke, I would go down to Anita’s Church, Stewart Memorial, to preach the sermon. I thought that Anita would give the eulogy at my funeral, but this was not to be.
The last time I saw Anita was Saturday morning, 8 February, when she presided at a Congregational Meeting at Stewart Memorial, bringing inspiration & hope during difficult times.
The crowning events of her life were her marriage to Winston & the discovery of her son, Ryan, & two grand children. Awesome!
(Rev Dr) Francis Chisholm
Thank you
I read the article in the Hamilton Spectator over the weekend. It was beautiful! I guess some could see it as sad. You finally get to meet your son, son finally gets to meet his biological mother. Then she, unfortunately, passes away not too long afterwards. Tragic? After I see the look in Anita’s face in that photo, this is like a love story! She is in awe of this person that she created! I have never seen a more beautiful photo. It brings a smile to my face every time I look at it. Thank you for sharing this […]
Grateful
Anita was one of the first people I met when I moved to Hamilton and I hardly knew anyone. She very kindly offered her time to meet with me and suggest people & agencies I might be interested in learning about. I loved learning about Stewart Memorial’s rich history. So much so, I visit this church periodically. Anita impressed me with her integrity, attentiveness & care to others, take charge manner and wisdom (& not all in that order). We kept in touch; right up to the month before she passed. I am so thrilled that she finally got to […]
Something like a Fairy God Mother
I met Anita not too long after I opened the doors to my wellness center in Hamilton 2007. At the time, I was only 27 but talking to Anita was like talking to a lifelong friend. We would talk about yoga, clean eating, clean cooking, clean everything, travel, anatomy, nursing, gardening, restaurants, shopping, … oooh, we would talk. Every time she would visit she’d have a sparkle in her eye alongside warm calming nature. I admire her so much. She’s the type of lady one aspires to be like. She was so consistent in that Respect. How marvelous and heartbreaking […]
Sincere Sympathy
As a former work colleague for several years, I was saddened, indeed, to learn of Anita’s death. It was with admiration, that I read Jeff Mahoney’s tribute to Anita in the Hamilton Spectator. Anita deserved all the accolades cited. Not only were we professional colleagues at Hamilton Health Sciences, but we also worked together in leadership positions on the Provincial Nursing Administrators’ Interest Group for the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. Anita took on several fundraising projects, both for her profession, and also for Ronald McDonald House, Zonta, and others. She was an excellent role model, and wonderful corporate citizen. […]
“Blueberry Anita”
I met Anita 13 years ago when we served together on a Board and I was so privileged to stay in touch with her. For several years, we went blueberry picking together with my children, who affectionately called her “Blueberry Anita”. She knew all the right places to go and just when to get the best berries. I’ve been treated to spending time in her incredible garden, to tasting her delectable biscott. I have been so inspired by her yoga practice, her exquisite taste in fabrics and art and her selfless care of friends and family. Her wedding outfit was […]
My memories of Anita…”Miss Isaac”
I first met Anita when I was a new RN, working at Chedoke, in the late 1970’s. To say that I was intimidated was an understatement. On night shift Anita would appear in the nursing station and ask multiple questions about patients and the tests that they were undergoing, you had to be on your toes. Years later as I recounted this experience to Anita, she just chuckled, and said “ I know”. I do believe she helped to make me a better nurse. I thought Anita was ageless, my condolences to all her family.
God Bless My Guide and Mentor
I met Anita on a trip to Barbados with a group of common friends. I felt an immediate connection to her spirit. A few years later when my life took a difficult turn, Anita was immediately present as a guiding light. She offered comfort, guidance, and taught me the way of self care. She took me on my first Yoga Retreat to Kripalu. She walked by my side through the darkness and shared in my joy when the light re-emerged. She called me the week before her passing to share with me her story. She shared it in such a […]
SHE WAS KIND AND UNDERSTANDING
. “ I loved the article in the Spec by Jeff Mahoney and so happy you found each other. I worked with Anita at Chedoke McMaster for many years. I was the manager of the IV Team. My area was not under her direct supervision but I always respected her. She was smart, both physically and mentally, kind and understanding. I had an unhappy end to my career at McMaster but Anita and I had a mutual respect for each other. She came to my office on my last day and was very supportive to me and very complimentary to […]
My memory of Anita
In my early 20’s I started working at Chedoke hospital early one Morning Anita came to retrieve her office key. An older coworker was giving me heck for a Something or other and would not let me say a word. Anita spoke up and to her maybe if you would listen you may understand why. I loved Anita for that. I knew Winston while at Mumc what a gent. R.I.P. Anita