 Mr.  Mrs.  Ms.  Miss  Dr.  Other
Name _________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________ City ______________________________
Province ____________________________ Postal Code ________________ Phone Number (
)_________________
I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT ST. JOSEPH’S FOUNDATION OF THUNDER BAY
I would like to make a ONE TIME gift of $___________
I would like to make a MONTHLY gift of $___________ Charges on credit cards will be processed on the 15th of each month
Please accept this gift in honour of : ________________________________________
Please send a card to:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
MISSION
The primary purpose of St. Joseph’s Foundation of Thunder Bay is to raise funds to further the long-term charitable works of the
Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie within the District of Thunder Bay, including St. Joseph’s Care Group.
A Pioneer’s Passing…
Sister Leila Greco
July 3, 1929 - September 17, 2012
_____________________________________________________
 I‟ve enclosed my cheque payable to St. Joseph’s Foundation of Thunder Bay
 I prefer to charge my gift to:  Visa  MasterCard
 American Express
Card # _______________________________ Expiry ___/___ Signature ______________________________________
For more information visit us online at www.sjftb.net
100% OF ALL DONATIONS STAY IN NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
All donations are tax deductible.
Charitable Registration Number 119183267RR0001
St. Joseph's Foundation respects your privacy and is committed to the protection of your personal information in accordance with our privacy
policy. We do not sell or trade the personal information we collect including information contained in our mailing list. The information you
provide will be used to fulfill our mandate to raise funds and to keep you informed of Foundation activities.
You may have your name removed from our mailing list at any time by contacting the Foundation Office at (807) 768-4411
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
On behalf of the Board and Staff of St. Joseph’s Foundation, we would like to extend our sincere
thanks for your enduring support and generosity allowing us to continue our work in a spirit of
Care, Compassion and Commitment to ensure the safety and comfort of clients of
St. Joseph’s Care Group.
May the New Year bring you and your family the best life has to offer.
Gratefully,
Sylvia Kayzer, Chair, Board of Directors
OUR STAFF
Sharron Owen
Executive Director
Katrina O’Neill
Development Officer
Marian Begall
Secretary
St. Joseph‟s Foundation of Thunder Bay
63 Carrie Street
Thunder Bay, ON, P7A 4J2
Sharron Owen, Executive Director
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do
not expect to sit.” Nelson Henderson
No truer words could encapsulate the spirit, life and work of Sister Leila Greco. Her life
was about giving to others, doing for others, taking care of others...selflessly. A true
visionary and pioneer, she implemented work that will have a lasting benefit for
generations to come. She implemented change in how programs and services were delivered. She
enacted a vision that became a model for others to follow.
After graduating from nursing, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie. There, her
education, her passion and her vision flourished for the benefit of so many others. While working in
Thunder Bay at St. Joseph‟s Hospital she envisioned the unique concept (and future model) for senior
services that became St. Joseph‟s Heritage — “A Place For All Seasons”. She realized that an
apartment complex, a nursing home, recreational facilities as well as fine dining and services for
seniors all within one building was the future. She not only envisioned this, she worked tirelessly to
make her dream a reality.
A woman of strong faith, and equally strong will, she ensured that things were done, and done
correctly. She did not shy away from difficult „battles‟ to accomplish what she knew was right. St.
Joseph‟s Heritage, and the model it created, is a testament to those results.
Her vision for better services was not limited to senior‟s care in Thunder Bay. She also took the next
step in re-imagining services for people with mental health challenges. Her work to develop Club 84
in Sault Ste. Marie took the pioneering step for a “gathering place” for people to be encouraged and
supported while sharing their stories with one another and qualified health personnel.
As a tribute to the spirit and hard work that Sister Leila demonstrated the soon to be completed
seniors‟ supportive housing building on Lillie Street is named the Sister Leila Greco Apartments.
Sister Leila will be forever remembered and revered for many reasons and accomplishments. Her
vision and efforts will live on, affecting others for years to come. She leaves a legacy to be proud of,
not only for her work but also for the loving and caring person she was, and for the people that she
touched and affected during her time with us. Sister Leila was truly a pioneer in the health care field.
Kerri Hnatiw
Foundation Clerk
FALL 2012
Christmas is forever, not for just one day.
For loving, sharing, giving are not to be put away like bells and lights
and tinsel in some box up on a shelf.
The good you do for others is the good you do yourself
Norman Wesley Brooks
The Christmas Season has always been a time to celebrate the love and caring we have in our lives. The
giving of gifts has become a symbol to the love and appreciation for those in our life, yet at times it can be a
struggle to demonstrate that accordingly. Often people are not sure what is the perfect gift to give, or if the
purchasing of a gift takes away from the true sentiment that Christmas offers.
As an alternative to traditional gift giving, consider making a donation to a charity in honour of your loved
one, or in memory of someone special. With charitable giving, you are able to recognize the importance of
the person in your life, while remaining true to the spirit of the season by benefitting others. When you
choose to recognize a loved one with a gift to St. Joseph’s Foundation you will receive a tax receipt for your
donation, and the loved one will receive a special card acknowledging the generous gift in their name.
All gifts to St. Joseph’s Foundation are used to purchase capital equipment for the comfort and safety of
clients of St. Joseph’s Care Group in Northwestern Ontario. The impact of these purchases is farther reaching
than the individual pieces of equipment. It helps to ease the pain of spending the last few days with a loved
one; improves the well being of someone overcoming addiction and problem behaviours; as well as brings
joy and a sense of accomplishment to those who are regaining their muscle strength and mobility.
If you would like to honour a loved one with a charitable gift this Christmas, please contact Kerri Hnatiw at
(807) 768-4411 or complete the donation form on the back page of the newsletter.
IN MEMORIAM
Remembering a Life
We gratefully acknowledge the following Memorial Funds that have been established from November 1, 2011 to April 30, 2012.
Memorial funds that total $250 or more are recognized on the In Memoriam Wall at the facility of choice.
Plaques were installed in memory of:
St. Joseph’s Hospital
Dennis Walter Allen
Sherri Andrusyk
Matilda Arnold
Arnold “Arnie” Aylward
Jean Bailey
Anna Bilyk
Girarda Bisignano
Adele Bliznikas
Costantino Bordignon
Aileen Brown
Melvin Byers
Ron Casey
John Chipman
Ernie Duda
Phyllis Ferguson
Alfred “Iky” Ferris
Leona Fisher
Madeline Gilbart
Wes Golab
Ken Hagarty
Robert “Bob” Hamilton
George B. Hughes Sr.
Mary Igneczi
Charlie Jakis
Dr. Richard Kelly
Anthony & Marie Komenda
Frank J. Kozoglav
Irene Lauro
Alister MacDonald
Dylan Manuel
Barrie “Yogi” Marquis
Donna Eileen McArthur
Michael Michon
Doreen Oakley
Jacqueline Perrier
Jean Marie Plemel
Reta Poleck
Larry Pyorny
Muriel Quirk
I.M. Sewell
Joseph Siekierski
Isabelle Simpson
Mildred Smallwood
Isabella Spicer
Aarne Suutari
Marvin Valliere
Angelo Vidotto
Gastone Vidotto
Donald Wickstrom
Alfred Winslow
Carol Bernhardson
Jessie Bobie
Suzanne Chong
Laurance Dahlstrom
Helen Daye
Violet Derhak
Mary Vass
Willem Frederik Wulf
Jurgen Zarek
St. Joseph’s Heritage
Amy Cumming
Emelia “Millie” Guarasci
Marilyn G. Morrison
Hogarth Riverview Manor
Susan Compardo
Muriel Prokosh
We have made every effort to ensure this is an accurate list. If we have neglected to publish a name please
contact us at 768-4411.
THANK YOU FOR HONOURING THEM AND THINKING OF US.
Retirement on the Horizon
It may come as a surprise to many that Sharron Owen announced her retirement
effective January 31, 2013. Sharron has been at the helm of St. Joseph’s Foundation
for 31 years and has become synonymous with the organization. In addition to being
Executive Director of St. Joseph’s Foundation, Sharron is also the Director,
Communications for St. Joseph’s Care Group.
Such an announcement is one the Board of Directors, staff, and friends have
accepted with mixed emotions. There is happiness that she has such wonderful
plans for her retirement, but a selfish sadness that she will not be around each day as part of the team.
She will be greatly missed by her colleagues, as demonstrated by the kind words spoken of her and her
accomplishments. Her leadership, guidance, support and caring resonates with everyone. She cares about her staff
not just as employees, co-workers or peers, but as friends. A common sentiment is that she is a person easy to talk
to, turn to, look up to and emulate. She is a consummate professional, with an untiring work ethic and has always
made sure that each staff member was recognized, appreciated and valued for their contributions.
A similar sentiment is held by the Board of St. Joseph’s Foundation who have supported and assisted Sharron in this
important work. Board members congratulate Sharron on her well deserved retirement, but are saddened that such
an integral part of the organization will no longer be there offering guidance.
As part of the legacy she leaves behind, under her leadership, St. Joseph’s Foundation of Thunder Bay has raised over
$25 million to support the works of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie. She has spearheaded 4 Capital
Campaigns (raising over $12 million dollars combined); she has overseen the development of 2 of the most
successful events St. Joseph Foundation runs (Grand a Day Draw and St. Joseph’s Golf Classic); she has coordinated
every one of Benny Birch’s Birthday Parties; and she has been the creative force behind many events and activities
hosted by St. Joseph’s Foundation. She was also one of the people who had the foresight to implement St. Joseph’s
Endowment Fund for the future needs of St. Joseph’s Care Group. She has left her mark on an organization and a
community.
From colleagues, staff, Board and friends… we wish Sharron
nothing but the best for her future.
Recent 3rd Party Events
The 2012 Vanderwees Mini-Golf
Event raised
$12, 239. 31
on behalf of
St. Joseph’s Campaign for
Hospice Palliative Care
The Thunder Bay Catholic
District School Board Gala
raised
$15,000.00
on behalf of
St. Joseph’s Foundation
Thank you to our community for their continued support!