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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 31, 2015 | 6 Spotlight by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff "Connected to your Community" Former OTMH administrator fondly remembered A s the community continues to celebrate the recent opening of the new Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH), it now also mourns the loss of a woman who for decades served as the original hospital's guiding light. Halton Healthcare has announced that long-time OTMH executive director Lillian (Joy) Parsons died suddenly on Friday, Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) following a stroke. She was 92 years old. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of a towering gure in our organization's history. For almost four decades, Miss Parsons was the guiding light of Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, ensuring our community got the health care it needed and deserved," said Halton Healthcare President and CEO Denise Hardenne. "With her passing, we have lost her presence, but not her vision, which continues to inspire our entire organization. We will honour her memory through our continued commitment to the health and well-being of our community. We extend our sincerest condolences to her friends and family during this dif cult time." Known by colleagues as `Miss P' The Oakville resident, who was fondly known to her colleagues as "Miss P ," began her career in health care as a nurse at St. Joseph's Hospital in London, Ont., but took over the role of obstetrical supervisor at the temporary Oakville Hospital on First Street in 1949. As the years passed, Parsons took on more responsibilities and ultimately became executive director of the newly-built OTMH on Reynolds Street. She held that position for 36 years and was present for such piv- Lillian Parsons placed in her way. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton also spoke about Parsons, noting her "legacy of dedication to our community's health will always be an inspiration." Parsons was deeply committed to her family. Michael said when her sisters, Eleanor and Catherine, were con ned to a nursing home, Parsons would visit them every day and even take their laundry home to wash. "She was caring, compassionate and she always put the needs of others rst," said Michael. Parsons also spent a great deal of time with her 16 nieces and nephews and her 34 grand nieces and nephews. Parsons funeral will take place Monday (Jan. 4, 2016) at 11 a.m. at St. Christopher's Catholic Church, 1171 Clarkson Rd., in Mississauga. Visitation will be held Sunday (Jan. 3, 2016) from 4-9 p.m. at Turner and Porter Funeral Home on Hurontario Street, just north of the QEW in Mississauga. In lieu of owers, donations of remembrance may be made to the Oakville Hospital Foundation Nursing Education Fund, 3100 Hospital Gate, Oakville, Ont., L6M 0L8. NEIL OLIVER Vice­President and Group Publisher DAVID HARVEY Regional General Manager Lillian `Joy' Parsons died at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) Christmas Day (Dec. 25). After serving as the head administrator of the former OTMH, Parsons, 92, was present for all the opening ceremonies and events at the new OTMH. | submitted photos otal moments in history as the 1979 hospital evacuation due to the Mississauga train derailment, and the 1982 birth of North America's rst test tube twins at OTMH, which garnered national media attention. Parsons retired in 1987, but Halton Healthcare of cials say she remained a tireless advocate for both OTMH and for health care in Oakville. When she retired, OTMH established the Lillian H. Parsons Bursary, which provides annual funds to assist children of hospital staff with their post-secondary education. To date, more than $200,000 in bursaries has been awarded to more than 200 children. Halton Healthcare staff said Parsons was actively involved in the evaluation of the applications and attended the hospital's annual meeting and awards ceremony to personally congratulate each recipient. Parsons was also recognized by having the cafeteria at OTMH (Parsons Pantry) named in her honour. The name has made its way to the mammoth eating area at the new OTMH. In honour of Parsons, ags at OTMH have been lowered to half mast. Parsons remained engaged in the activities at OTMH until the end. Most recently, she participated in the OTMH October Garden Party held to celebrate and say goodbye to the legacy hospital at 327 Reynolds St. She was also a front-row VIP at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Oakville hospital, which was held in November. In a recent video production celebrating the history of OTMH, she re ected on her life in health care. "I really and truly feel that I had the best career in the world... I really did," said Parsons. "I think it was because it was Oakville. Oakville has a spirit and certainly the hospital was lucky to get it." Parsons' nephew, Michael, talked about his aunt's life, stating hers was "a life well-lived." "This is a woman that gave her life to Oakville without any reservations or wanting something back," he said. "She was all about making the lives of Oakville people better and she did it until the last day of her life." Knew every hospital employee by name Michael noted Parsons knew every employee at the hospital by name during her time as executive director. He also called her a trailblazer for women as she excelled at her prominent position at a time when there were no shortage of obstacles Volume 53 | Number 103 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington (905) 845-3824 Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone (416) 340-1981. 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