Material Type

Recording

Date Range

1984

Physical Condition

Excellent

Acquisition Source

Parry, Lillian

Scope and Content

60 minutes cassette. Approximately 60 minutes. Interviewee: Miss Lillian Margaret Parry. Interviewer: Sheila Petherbridge. Date: 14 February 1984. Tape 1 Side A (30 min) - Biographical information: Lillian was born in Wales in 1900 and in 1902 the family came to southern Alberta. Her father was a horticulturalist by trade and purchased a homestead in the White School district. Their home was constructed from cement and the walls were about 18" thick. Description of the house. They also had a dairy. - Her father was hired to plant trees around Henderson. They had a lovely garden. - Lillian attended school in Lethbridge: Kindergarten, Central, Fleetwood, Bowman, and Immanual Training (took homemaking and secretarial). - Following school she took nursing training at Vancouver General 1922-1925. Describes the training and doctor/nurse relations. - She returned to Lethbridge in 1926 and for a short time worked at the Nursing Mission assisting Doctors with the home delivery of babies. Relates a story about the delivery of Mr & Mrs Lee Duck's child. There were 3, later 4, nurses working for the Nursing Mission. - She was hired by Campbell Clinic and remained there for 33 years. For years she was the only nurse and her job included the receptionist and secretarial duties. - Jean McKenzie and Lillian were instrumental in starting the nurses registrar. - General information about the medical profession and doctor/patient relations. - During WWII she joined the army. SideB - Continue with Army. She was first station at the POW camp in Lethbridge, followed by Red Deer, Jasper, and then back to Red Deer. Medical personel over the age of 40, which included her, were recruited to work the Hospital Ship travelling between Montreal and the Continent. - After armistice was declared, she was stationed at a POW camp again before being demobilized. - She returned to Campbell Clinic where she remained until retirement in Nov 1959. Shortly after retirement she received a call from a friend in Magrath who asked if she would help out at the Magrath Hospital for a few weeks. She remained there for 9 years. - Discussion about the Union and AARN. - She was a member of the Quota Club, organized in 1936 to promote the status of women. She ran for City Council because she was elected by the Quota Club members, from their member-ship, to run. The Quota Club membership was made up of about 30 women from various walks of life who were considered to be outstanding in their area. She names some of the other members as well as those who assisted in her campaign as alderwoman. She was the first woman to serve on City Council. - As a member of council she served on the Health Board. Information about Nursing Homes, the Auxilliary Hospital. She served on the Health/Hospital Board for 17 years. - Lillian has been around the world by plane.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

19921045000

Collection

Archive

Less detail