LADY SLIPPER VILLA

In January 1986, Doris Buchanan purchased the Dennis house from Mel Campbell. She founded the Lady Slipper Villa which got its name from the Lady Slippers which grew behind the house and the word villa which means ”a comfortable home in the country”.

With the help of Doris’ husband, Warner, and their friends, the house was renovated as a twelve bed community care facility.

On March 1, 1986, the first residents began to arrive. They were Johnny and Emily Clements, Velda MacNeill and Annie MacDonald. In the next few weeks Edna Ellis, Myrtle Sweet, Melvin Gallant, Hattie Adams, Hazel Carruthers, Agnes Peters, Philip Arsenault, and Mildred Thomson completed the first villa family. The first staff members were Sheila MacKay and Nancy MacPhee, L.N.A.

The Farm Labour Pool which had been located in the building moved out. Further renovations were made to increase the capacity to sixteen beds. A new wing was constructed in July 1987, which increased its capacity to thirty-two beds. In May 1988, the Lady Slipper Villa was purchased by Ray Brow, who continues to operate the facility.

Besides being a fine, comfortable facility for seniors, the residents share the company of each other and enjoy numerous social events - e.g. church services, birthday parties, Bible study, community school, and many kinds of entertainment.

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