Review-Mirror

12 – December 7, 2017 The Review-Mirror The mission for the ladies that form the local chapter of the Quilts of Valour is to ensure that injured Canadian Forces members are recognized for their service and com- mitment to our country. They give this support through the presentation of quilts to comfort our past and present Canadian Forces members. It is a privilege for Westport Lions to finan- cially help local organiza- tions such as the Quilts of Valour. Donna Easter, regional representative, writes: Why Quilts of Valour? Quilts of Valour is a Canadian organization, working through an all- volunteer network of peo- ple, which provides com- fort to military personnel who are recovering from wounds received in the service of Canada. Some of these wounds are obvi- ous and some are not. The Westport group started in March 2017 and has grown from an initial meeting of four members to what is now a thriving group of 17 members. We make quilts to give away to our military and our vets who need support as they manage their way back to what we take for granted as "normal "in our day-to-day life. I have had the honour of interacting with many servicemen and service- women since becoming involved in the Quilts of Valour Canadian Society two years ago after I heard the following story: "A vet had returned from his third tour in Afghanistan and went to his basement refusing to come out. He remained there for two years – a cocoon – protected from harm. Aid workers visited and made it known to a quilting friend what was happening in this case. The quilt maker friend then took this man a quilt. Its label had on it the twelve names of those who had worked on this quilt. He could not believe that he had so many people in his corner and he began his return to the world". I will not make the claim that a simple, colourful quilt is the answer to recovery from injury, but in some cases, it has made a difference. Maybe allowing even a lit- tle light into an otherwise dark world is the answer to mending a broken body or soul. Having made several public presentations to vets in Westport, Brockville, and Kingston, I have seen the respect with which is immediately evident in the audience for that vet. I also hear the positive remarks about the beauty of the quilts I am delivering. On each occa- sion I am grateful that I could be a small part of this important event – both for the vets and their fam- ilies. There have been sever- al private presentations of quilts and deliveries of quilts to friends of wound- ed military who will act on our behalf. Some of our recipients are not ready to talk to the public. They are dealing privately with their injuries and often it is through letters and emails that we know how much our gifts have impacted their recovery. The fol- lowing is one of those: "On Feb. 1st, 2017, I was very surprised when I received my quilt…I was instantly humbled by this gesture of kindness. Since completing three tours in Afghanistan, I have become a different person. It is hard for me to go outside in public. It is very difficult to interact and trust other people – constantly vigilant as if something bad will hap- pen. It is a continuous challenge for me to over- come these anxieties and thoughts. Taking small steps each day, it's a battle that I am still dealing with. This gift has helped me in fighting that battle. I feel that these quilts offer invaluable reminders to each of their owners. For me, it reminds me that there are people out there that are loving and caring. There are people out there that I can trust. I am not forgotten and there is pur- pose to the sacrifices I have made. This quilt rep- resents a greater good. It renews my drive and hope in life. It shows my seven- year-old son the power of giving. It gives me pur- pose. I will cherish this gift forever. Thank you" Did you watch the Invictus Games? How can you not be moved by such courage and resilience? How can you not be grate- ful to have these quality people in your life and the life of your country? I am honoured to help in any small way I can and for now, a quilt will do. • • • This past weekend was a busy time for the West- port Lions Club. On Sat- urday, the club handed out Christmas cakes at the Lions' den to seniors in our community. This com- ing Saturday, Lion mem- bers will distribute cakes to seniors that were unable to pick up their cake. • • • On Sunday, Dec. 3, the Club and food bank volun- teers put on a Christmas dinner for the patrons of the food bank. Many thanks to Jeannette Harper for her work preparing the food to feed more than 70 people. The club, with the help of an anonymous donor, provided the food, and food bank volunteers provided the gifts and invited Santa Claus to attend. Watching the chil- drens' joy in seeing Santa was definitely the high- lights of the evening. Lions support local chapter of Quilts of Valour Nine of the 17 ladies who now make up the local chapter of Quilts of Valour. Westport Lions Roar By Bob Reddick Diane Leduc Doran, wife and partner of James Doran of Choose The Blues Productions for the past 26 years died Novem- ber 20, 2017 in Ottawa General Hospital after a four year long valiant bat- tle with liver and Lyme disease. She had been on the list for a liver transplant at the UHN Transplant Clinic at the Toronto General Hos- pital for the past year and a half but sadly a donor organ didn't come through in time. Her condition had rapidly deteriorated over the past two months and she entered hospital for the last time Nov. 9. James and her loving parents Francois and Henriette Leduc were with her by her side when she passed. Diane leaves them behind along with her beloved mother-in-law Marnie Doran, brother and sister- in-law Patrick and Deborah Doran, sister-in- law Mae Doran Coleman and many nephews, nieces and great-nephews and nieces as well as uncles, aunts and cousins on the Laverdiere/Leduc side and many dear friends. James and Diane pro- duced the Blues On The Rideau (BOTR) Fundrais- er Series at The Cove in Westport for the past 13 years. Diane was much loved by the Cowan family and all of the Cove staff along with many of the regular attendees at BOTR who became close friends over the years. To quote one of those, Dick Christy, "To know Diane was to love her. She had a quiet demeanor and a gentle soul and she lived rather than flaunted a deep faith." Diane was born July 25, 1960 in Ville Emard, Mon- treal Quebec. Even as a baby people would remark on what a bright and smil- ing child she was and she maintained that all of her life. After graduating from the Hautes Etudes Com- merical at the Universite de Montreal she entered the work force and held a number of different jobs in the private and public sec- tor over her career. The last one was with the Union Of Solicitor General Employ- ees, part of PSAC, for the past 11 years where she rose to become the Coordi- nator of Finance and Administration. She had a deep commitment to social justice and the union movement. In honour and gratitude for Diane's life there are two Celebrations Of Life taking place. The first is Dec. 9 in Montreal at the Dignite Centre Funeraire Cote- Des-Neiges. The second Celebration will be at The Cove in Westport Jan. 6 from 1-5 p.m. Light food, drink and music will be provided. Anyone who knew and loved Diane is welcome at either event. Please RSVP to The Cove at info@cov- einn.com or 613-273-3636 for the event there – so they know who is coming. Condolences, photos and memories can be sent to either. In lieu of flowers please consider making a dona- tion to the UHN Transplant Clinic at Toronto General Hospital or the Ottawa General Hospital Founda- tion with thanks to the many doctors, nurses and assistants who provided care to Diane especially over the past couple of months. https://www.tgwhf.ca/ ways-to-give/ http://ohfoundation.ca/ ways-donate More importantly, if you have not already done so be sure to register as an Organ/Tissue Donor and/or consider becoming a Living Donor. Even though Diane didn't make it there is still time to save others. https://beadonor.ca/ Obituary Diane Leduc Doran one half of couple behind Blues on the Rideau series Diane Leduc Doran with partner James Doran. Winning tickets for the quilts were drawn at Portland United Church on October 31 by Con- nie Cochran and Lynne Evans. The winners were Joan MacKinnon of Gananoque and Bon- nie Banville of Portland. Our group, consisting of members from Port- land, Elgin, Westport and surrounding areas, make quilts that are donated to patients undergoing chemother- apy and dialysis at the Perth and Smiths Falls hospitals. The proceeds from the draw will go towards purchasing material for more quilts.

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