Scholarship honours former nursing home resident

Stephanie Thurston (far left), Jean Lynch Scholarship award winner, with Jean Lynch’s daughter Ann Trick and husband Dave Trick, Mayor Robert Quaiff, and Joy Vervoort, Jean Lynch’s daughter.

H.J. McFarland Memorial Home presented the Jean Lynch Scholarship Award to staff member Stephanie Thurston.

Jean Lynch resided at McFarlands from 2006-2016. Her family established the scholarship in her honour to be open to all employees of the home, their children or grandchildren who are pursuing post-secondary education.

“Stephanie is a deserving recipient of this scholarship. She is committed to advancing her knowledge and expertise in the field of diet and nutrition, which will enhance her work here,” said Kim Mauro, Administrator, H.J. McFarland Memorial Home. “Like all of our staff, Stephanie pays keen attention to the needs of our residents, which is something that Jean Lynch enjoyed about living here.”

Thurston is a dietary aid at the supported living facility for seniors in Picton. The $1,000 scholarship will assist her in completing the Food Service and Nutrition Management Program offered by CHA Learning.

“I would like to thank the Lynch family as well as H.J McFarland Memorial Home for considering me for the Jean Lynch Scholarship Award,” Thurston said. “I am honoured and very appreciative to receive it. This means so much to me and gives me the assistance financially to continue with my Food Service and Nutritional Management certificate.”

Joy Vervoort, Ms. Lynch’s daughter, says her sister Ann and husband Dave Trick conceived and initiated the scholarship as a way to give back to the staff members who supported and lovingly cared for their mother.

“We are pleased to see this scholarship go to Stephanie,” Ms. Vervoort said. “We also feel it’s fitting that Stephanie is receiving the award because our mother enjoyed many delicious meals at H.J. McFarland Memorial Home that were served up with a smile and sometimes a story or joke just like around the meal table of any home.”

Established in 1975, H.J. McFarland Memorial Home is currently home for 84 residents.