“Two little sisters” reunited under a beautiful blue sky for an eternity of frivolity and laughter on April 11, 2018. Affectionately and infamously known as “Auntie Dolo” to everyone who knew her, Dolores, was born on May 15, 1932. Precocious, she was the second of five children born to Eugene and Dorina Parent (all of whom have preceded her) of Kapuskasing, Ontario. From a young age, Dolo had the tightest of bonds with her sister, Claudette. But ever independent, Dolo wanted to break the mold of what “girls were supposed to do.”
She went to Quebec City at the age of 13 believing that the Augustinian convent was her calling. She soon realized that her destiny lay elsewhere. She finished her high school studies in Kapuskasing. Following this, she eventually completed her Music training as a pianist in Montreal. Finding music a healing art, she continued to implement its use in the second phase of her life—Nursing. She did graduate training at the Shriner’s Children Hospital in Montreal. Having completed her Bachelors of Nursing from the University of Ottawa in 1957, “Auntie” Dolo then worked initially at the Sensenbrenner Hospital in Kapuskasing and The Porcupine Health Unit.
Ever open to a challenge, Auntie Dolo was appointed by former Ontario MP Rene Brunelle to the Social Assistance Review Board, a quasi-judicial appointment in the early 1970’s. This was eventually followed by an appointment to medical officer for the Inuit community of Povungnituk on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay. This experience allowed her to come to a deep love of the indigenous people of Canada; and the relishing of their culture, customs and language. Following her Arctic Adventure, she decided to go one step further—she became the Medical Officer for the Arctic ice-breaker D’Iberville. Aboard this ship she left Quebec City; the St. Lawrence Seaway; and-- with over 70 other seamen-- she travelled the Arctic Passage. She became an amateur videographer whose films were on par with Canadian Geographic. She learned how to solder. She oversaw life-flights of injured crew members to nearby Iqualuit (Nunavut), Montreal and Quebec City.
Returning eventually to Ottawa, she married Desmond Bender—who preceded her; and with whom she had earlier worked with on the Social Assistance Review Board. While in Ottawa, she became deeply interested in Geriatric medical care and Palliative Care. Ever the educator and proponent of the elderly, she attended the Montreal Palliative Care conferences of Balfour Mount and Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. Auntie Dolo then went to work as a Clinical Nurse Manager for St. Vincent Palliative Care Facility followed by work at Elizabeth Bruyere Health Centre.
Rounding out her career, she felt the need to impart her nursing experiences to the next generation of nurses in training. Combining her Inuit background and the love of the North, she moved on to the Northern College of Nursing in Timmins and Kapuskasing. She taught her nursing students the true principles of academics, patient-care, sound nursing principles, listening to one’s patient, hands-on care; and genuine empathy. Ever the adventurer, she made her nurses learn at various medical centers throughout Ontario and personally made sure they were educated in the cultures of Canada’s indigenous peoples.
She never retired from her chief concern: empowering women to be independent, smart and as she would say, “gutsy”. After a life of complete independence, she experienced declining health and entered the Perley-Rideau Veterans Health Center. There she left an indelible mark on the lives of those who had the privilege of knowing her. Within weeks of entering, she knew everyone by name and everyone knew her!
Intricately complex, she was nevertheless—externally, a simple woman, whose message was clear. . . Love the patient. . .Care humanely from the heart.
Auntie Dolo will be interred at Kapuskasing Cemetery this summer - returning to the place she loved best - Remi Lake and the Northland.
A favorite charity was Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, 110-1525 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, ON, K1Z 8R9.
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