Hardisty Auxiliary honours long-time volunteer

Long-time volunteer June Crone was honoured on July 6 by the Hardisty Hospital Auxiliary for her 45 years of service with that organization, with eight additional years with the St. Anne’s Hospital Auxiliary prior to that.

Back when Trudeau was Prime Minister of Canada… the first Trudeau, June Crone became a founding member of the present Hardisty Hospital Auxiliary, in November 1971. Prior to that, she had been a member of St. Anne’s Hospital Auxiliary for eight years, bringing her total volunteer years to 53.

During a Canada 150 barbeque in Hardisty on Thursday, July 6, Auxiliary President Bobbi Morley presented Crone with her 45-Year Service award, calling her years of service, “A significant accomplishment.”

Crone also took her turns at sitting on the executive of the Auxiliary, serving time as vice-president, president, and a long time as treasurer. Out of her 45 years with the ‘new’ auxiliary, Crone held an executive position for 24 years. “June continues working away in many roles in our auxiliary; recognizing memorial donations, handling STARS donations, and assisting with flower orders when required,” Morley said. “June was instrumental in obtaining funding from the Wild Rose Foundation to complete the meeting room.”

Morley noted that Crone, along with the spouse of the town’s doctor in 1974, started the

Volunteen program at Hardisty Hospital, which continues today.

“June was one of the original instructors of this program, and remained very involved in the program, organizing the yearly graduation ceremony for participants.”

When changes to healthcare in the 90s impacted the Hardisty Health Care Centre, Morley said, “There was a period of change and uncertainty, however June had the vision to see where the Auxiliary priorities should be.

“Long term care became a priority she dedicated countless hours to, and the Auxiliary, with her leadership, accomplished many projects over the years to improve quality of life for the residents.”

June also worked with Hardisty’s Physician Recruitment Board, worked at Meals on Wheels, delivering meals for many years, and became a director of the Handivan Society formed in 2002.

Morley said, “This past year, the Auxiliary’s story was compiled for the new Hardisty history book, and June’s meticulous record keeping over the years made gathering information for the story an easier task.”

Crone received a lifetime membership by the Alberta Health Care Auxiliaries Association in 2009, “A well-deserved recognition of a lifetime of commitment to our Auxiliary.”

Crone didn’t confine her volunteer activities in the community to just the Auxiliary, Morley said, but also found time for other organizations, including 4-H, the Figure Skating Club, the United Church, also working as a bookkeeper at the time. She also contributed her time to blood donor clinics, community suppers, and silent auctions over the years.

Crone, and her late husband, Fred, who passed after the couple spent 71 years together, raised two daughters. “June now has six grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren,” Morley said.

“June, you are a highly accomplished, dedicated, and very successful volunteer.
“You had the vision to recognize a need, and the determination to follow through. You were involved in several projects and organizations to fill those needs.

“We are here today to say thank you; our community is a better place to live in due to your efforts in the Hospital Auxiliary and beyond.

“We are all so very appreciative of your outstanding 45 years of service,” Morley concluded.

During the event, a tree was planted at the Hardisty Health Centre in June’s honour, and a plaque will be mounted next to the tree.

Hardisty Health Care Centre Unit Manager Tyler Smith also spoke, saying, “June, to volunteer over 45 years with the Hardisty Hospital Auxiliary, and well over 50 years when combined with the former St. Anne’s Hospital, is an amazing gift to the residents of this community and region.”

He closed with, “We thank you for your generous spirit and your compassion for health care and the lives of others.”