Spotlight-Mary O’Rourke
Mary O’Rourke is a special Lakehead alumnus for a number of reasons. Not only is she a graduate of the very first Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN.) class from 1967; she is also a very active member of the community, lending her time to a variety of organizations and causes.
Mary moved to Port Arthur as an infant, attending local schools. As a young girl she knew she eventually wanted to become a nurse and so, upon completion of Grade 13, she enrolled in the School of Nursing at the Port Arthur General Hospital. She remembers her time at the school fondly, noting that there were only fourteen women in the program. They all lived in the residences at the hospital, and so they bonded quickly and lifelong friendships were formed, as Mary remains in close contact with some of the women to this day. After graduating from Port Arthur, Mary worked at the hospital in various departments for a few years before attending the University of Toronto and obtaining a diploma in Nursing Education in 1951. From there, she headed back to Port Arthur and began teaching nursing classes at the General Hospital. In 1960 she began working for the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital as a teaching aid, and continued working here while studying at Lakehead and after graduation, eventually working her way up through positions to become the assistant director of nursing at the institution before she retired in 1983.
Mary enrolled in the first class of the newly-formed Lakehead University Nursing degree program. An instructor at the university was familiar with Mary and her experience teaching with the Port Arthur program, and so while she took classes to earn her degree she also simultaneously taught x-ray technology anatomy for another program at the school, while also continuing to work for the LPH! Her dedication and hard work paid off when she, along with her thirteen classmates, graduated in 1967, receiving the first Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN.) degrees. Mary recalls the ceremony, which took place at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibit grounds, where the graduates marched into the Coliseum building and knelt before Chancellor Paterson as he conferred their degrees.
Much has changed at Lakehead since the days when Mary attended. She can still recall witnessing the sod turning ceremony on the Oliver Road site in preparation for the construction of the Braun Building, where she would take classes a few years later. To this day, Mary considers obtaining her degree to be her proudest accomplishment and her involvement with nursing and the community in general speak to the importance of such a university program. Since retiring in the 1980’s, Mary has remained very active with a variety of organizations. She has attended many reunions with former classmates from both the Port Arthur General Hospital and Lakehead University, as well as those of former students who welcome her back. Mary is also active with the Girl Guides of Canada, and helped the organization celebrate its centennial anniversary this past summer. As well, she is locally involved with the Fellowship of St. Paul’s United Church, the Nurses Association, and the Soroptimist Club and has travelled all over the world to attend conferences and reunions. She recalls a cross-Canada car trip for a reunion that ended in Napa Valley, and trips to Australia, New Zealand, and England as great experiences. She was also a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program for over twenty-two years, acting as a server and driver.
When asked what advice Mary would like to share with others, she is quick to answer. She finds it so important that we “keep on learning” because a solid education is a necessary foundation. She advises that students stick to their principles and also remain active with organizations in order to give back. Mary has certainly remained active herself, and doesn’t see herself slowing down, noting that it is too easy to become stationary – she thrives on keeping busy and staying engaged with the community, and her altruism is something to be admired and hopefully shared with today’s graduates.
