Staff at Villa Care Centre in Midland, along with several family members, honoured the lives of two very special women on April 24 with the announcement of two educational bursaries in their names.

The bursaries, in honour of Colleen Barker and Jean Bonyun – both residents of the Villa who suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease before their deaths – will help staff at the facility further education in their fields.

The first, a bursary by Fred Hacker and his family in honour of his mother Jean, will work to enhance the knowledge of good eating habits for nurses, says Alex Jarlette, owner of Jarlette Health Services, which runs the Villa.

“Staff take care of everybody else and their health. It’s time they are able to take care of their own health,” he says.

The second was a $5,000 donation by Brock Barker in memory of his wife Colleen.

Barker has been donating to the bursary fund for the past five years in the hope that it will allow nurses to expand their education and knowledge of Alzheimer’s.

“My wife was here for two-and-a-half years,” he says, adding while at the residence, she suffered from both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. “It’s just my way of giving back.”

Administrator Edith Robitaille says the funds will go a long way to help staff, who can apply for the bursaries annually, take better care of residents.

“The ladies we are memorializing today will always be remembered by us here, and by their families because of what we will be able to do here,” she told the crowd gathered for the presentation. “I am so happy this is ongoing every year. You have our deepest appreciation for the support you give us … It was an honour to care for your family members.”

Hacker, who attended the presentation with his wife and daughter, tells The Mirror the Villa holds a very special place in their hearts, which is why they continue to contribute to the fund year after year.

“Our relationship with the Jarlette family goes way back, but the staff here have always been so wonderful to us,” he says. “It’s a way to keep my mother’s memory alive and to allow them to continue to care for residents.”

Owning the first fully accredited retirement home in Simcoe County, Jarlette admits it has always set its sights high when it comes to the standard of care it offers, as well as the opportunity for growth it offers to staff.

“If you have ambition, we will help you get where you want to go,” he says. “We’re not standing still, we are moving ahead, and we have our staff and our donors to thank for making it the place it is.”