The Chatham-Kent Senior of the Year award has come full circle for JoAn Dale. JoAn’s mother Muriel, who passed away recently, was also honoured as a top senior in Chatham-Kent under a former award format.
The South Buxton raised woman was named the 2017 winner at the 30th annual Chatham-Kent Senior Expo and Achievement Awards at the Blenheim Recreation Centre.
The award has been presented annually since 2012 to the top senior volunteer from a list of nominees and is voted on by a selection committee led by Councillor Karen Herman, Ward 2 South Kent Councillor.
Upon receiving the award JoAn stated, “It’s a total surprise and I’m humbled when I listen to the accomplishments all the other nominees have made.”
JoAn has served as President and Past-President of the Alzheimer’s Society. She has assisted with many fundraising events that the group put on.
JoAn is a member of the Chatham-Kent Zonta Club and its Foundation, helping to organize and raise funds to improve women’s and girl’s lives locally and internationally.
She is President of the Helping Hands Auxiliary, the group overseeing the operation of the Boutique Grand Gift Shop at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. The proceeds from sales at the Gift Shop are donated to the Foundation of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance for equipment at the hospital. She also helps with fundraisers for both the Gift Shop and the Foundation including the Parade of Chefs. She also volunteers with the Dickens Fellowship as their Treasurer.
JoAn is Chair of the Official Board of the South Buxton St. Andrew’s Pastoral Charge and has been a Choir member for 50 plus years.
She is a member of the St. Clair College Retirees Association, sitting on their Board of Directors as President, Past President, and other offices, and assisting in retiree functions.
JoAn was a nurse at the former Public General Hospital before joining its Faculty of School of Nursing. She transferred to St. Clair College and became Chair of the Nursing Program, retiring in 2008.
“We have a lot to be thankful for in Chatham-Kent, it’s a wonderful place to live. I’ve been here all my life and have had great support and many opportunities,” JoAn stated. “I think it’s only appropriate to say thank you and to be able to give back to the community for the many things I’ve been given.”