Obituary
Born May 31, 1936 in Hamilton, Ontario to David and Grace Hunter. Was educated in Thunder Bay and St. Mary’s Academy in Winnipeg. Her career was diverse beginning as a lifeguard, nurse’s aide, truck driver, and pony girl at Lake Louise guiding tourists around the mountain trails, Back in Toronto, she worked in telemarketing with Bell Telephone and Air Canada for three years which allowed her to travel extensively throughout Canada. Then secretary to the manager of Armstrong Cork Building supplies for a year and a half where she learned about flooring and inventory keeping. To fulfill a lifelong dream of going to the Arctic, Gloria’s nursing career started in April of 1961 when she went to England at St. Giles Hospital in London SE 5, then first part Midwifery at the Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion in Edinburgh, Scotland, Second part Midwifery at the Watford Maternity Hospital in Watford, Herts. Back in Canada, she worked for a short period of time at the Hamilton Civic Hospital, the Ontario Psychiatric Hospital and then off to run the nursing station in Tuktoyaktuk in the Northwest Territories at the mouth of the Mackenzie River for two years. The government sent her to Dalhousie University in Halifax where she graduated in 1969 with diplomas in public health and outpost nursing (the forerunner of nurse practitioners). A three month clinical in Newfoundland honed her skills as well as learning to fly fish. After this, she opened the first nursing station in Resolute Bay on Cornwallis Island, sixty miles east of the north magnetic pole. Living in the Eskimo village and having to use interpreters was an ongoing challenge as were the three months of darkness and isolation. Because of these three years in the high Arctic, she wrote and self published NURSE AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD which was favorably accepted. Next came working the eight reserves around Kenora, Ontario for a year and a half where she learned the Ojibway culture. Then came twenty three years with Northwestern Health Unit as Director of Nursing covering twelve offices working with a diverse group of nurses. Finally a year and a half when she lived and worked at Grassy Narrows Indian Reserve which she enjoyed as the people remembered her from before and made her welcome. In her civic life, Gloria became the chairperson of Delart and Clarissa Manors, Kenora-Patricia Child and Family Services, Bethesda Lutheran Church and the Kenora and District Humane Society. She also served on the Heritage Committee of the City of Kenora. Gloria traveled in Europe, Russia, China, the U.K., Cuba, Jamaica, all of Canada as well as cruising from Alaska down the west coast and thru the Panama Canal. She had friends everywhere as she loved people and animals having many in her home most of the time. After residing for many years in Kenora, Gloria made Napanee her home, enjoying her days with many friends and family. Cremation has taken place, a remembrance service will be held at St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church in Napanee with date and time to be announced. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Lennox & Addington County General Hospital Foundation or Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre. Hannah Funeral Home, 613-354-3341.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gloria Alcock May 31 1936 March 30 2021 (age 84)..
Death notice for the town of: Napanee, Province: Ontario