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Philanthropists honour their mother’s nursing journey with a bursary for the next generation

Dec. 7, 2022

Nancy McCullough and Craig Wallwin knew their late mother Verdi Wallwin was very proud of graduating as a registered nurse. Throughout her life, her 1953 graduation photo hung outside her bedroom, and she kept her nursing caps neatly stored.

They didn’t realize she’d also carefully saved so much more related to her time as a nursing student.

“I found it all when I was cleaning out my parents’ home,” says Nancy. “There was a ring, a pin, even her shoes. She kept all her textbooks, work journals, notes and exams, the graduation program and the congratulations cards people had given her.”

Verdi also kept the agenda from the graduation dinner where she won an award for bedside nursing. And she saved the typewritten oath that promised in part to “live life in purity…abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous…and dedicate myself to the welfare of those committed to my care.”

Knowing she carefully saved all these items, reinforced what we always knew. She was extremely proud to be a nurse.

– Nancy McCullough, Verdi’s daughter

At the time, hospitals were responsible for educating their own nurses. Verdi graduated from the three- year program at Barrie’s Royal Victoria Hospital School of Nursing.

Almost 70 years later, Craig, Nancy and her husband David are honouring their mother’s memory by creating an endowed entrance bursary for �鶹ֱ�� nursing students. The endowment will fund an annual $2,000 bursary for a student in financial need entering �鶹ֱ��’s new Bachelor of Science – Nursing (BScN) degree on the Barrie Campus.

Nancy and Craig have long supported �鶹ֱ�� through the Golf Classic in which Craig’s daughter Addison is now a member of the organizing committee. Craig also sponsors a WOMEN’S inTUITION scholarship. In the new BScN degree, they saw a perfect opportunity to contribute and remember their mother at the same time.

“We were raised with the importance of giving back to the community and finally having this four-year degree at �鶹ֱ�� is something our mom would have wholeheartedly supported. Though she would probably ask why we didn’t donate anonymously,” laughs Craig. “But we feel this is a fitting legacy for her and we want to do it in her name.”

“Craig and I created this bursary to honour our mom and to thank her,” says Nancy. “She was an incredible mother – very loving and always supporting us. Family was everything to her and we adored her.”

Dedicating herself to her family meant Verdi only practised as a nurse for a relatively short time. While still a student, she met Jack Wallwin when he was repairing a hospital elevator. They soon married and started their family and the family business Wallwin Electric, which remains a Barrie institution today.

Verdi supported the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) and other causes throughout her life. In the early years she was a ‘Sunshine volunteer’ delivering a cart to patient rooms loaded with candy, gum and . . . cigarettes – it was a different time! She also volunteered at blood donor clinics. And the Wallwins were generous financial supporters of hospital and community causes.

When Verdi herself needed the care of nurses in her final years, she felt a special affinity for her caregivers, as well as profound gratefulness. Though Nancy smiles, “she did think they should still be wearing caps and uniforms.”

More seriously she says, “Mom would be so happy that this bursary will help students achieve their goal of a career in nursing. We know she would be proud to contribute.”

Our parents worked hard, but they were also very grateful for their good fortune – for what they had and what they were able to accomplish. They believed in supporting the community that supported them. This bursary is one more way to do that. It will help �鶹ֱ�� students, help our local hospitals and other health organizations, and help members of our community who need the care of registered nurses.

– Craig Wallwin, Verdi’s son

“Our parents worked hard, but they were also very grateful for their good fortune – for what they had and what they were able to accomplish,” adds Craig. “They believed in supporting the community that supported them. This bursary is one more way to do that. It will help �鶹ֱ�� students, help our local hospitals and other health organizations, and help members of our community who need the care of registered nurses.”

�鶹ֱ��’s Frontline Support: Health-care Heroes Closer to Home

�ұ�ǰ���������’s�� is helping to educate the nurses of tomorrow. Student success is a key priority of the campaign – generous gifts toward bursaries and scholarships ensure a student can achieve the dream of becoming a registered nurse.

Learn how you can help

Get in touch with Christina Bradbury 249.388.0774 to learn more and help prepare the next generation of health-care heroes.