Senior of the Year

Patricia Wright - Senior of the Year

Patricia Wright volunteered for 50 years, where she made major contributions into children’s education and community organizations. Pat was a key volunteer with Seniors NL for over 20 years, and also served the organization as a board member. As a Volunteer Coordinator, she was responsible for finding over a hundred volunteers for the organization over the years. She also served as a Peer Support Volunteer for information line for 19 years, and supported hundreds of seniors over the phone and in person.

Margaret Thorne - Senior of the Year

Margaret was 94 years young when she received this award in 2020. Margaret has dedicated every week for the last 15 years to volunteering at Saint Luke’s Home. She provides support to the residents during meal time, helping with prayer service and to watering plants. She also offers volunteer time by helping with church services in her community and food banks at Corpus Christi Parish. Margaret travels by foot everywhere she goes and keeps a smile on her face while she does it. 

Sister Elizabeth Rachel Lee - Senior of the Year

Starting in the 1990s, Elizabeth served as President of the International Presentation Association. In this position, she planned and participated in gatherings promoting care for Earth in New York, Australia and India. She also volunteered in Dominica at a vocational training centre supporting at-risk youth.

Here in St. John's, she serves as the volunteer Board Chair at The Lantern and Board Co-Chair at The Gathering Place. She was elected to the Presentation Sisters' provincial Leadership Team in St. John's and served as their Congregational Leader. She played a leading role in the transfer of St. Patrick's Convent to the City of St. John's.

Joseph Pearcey - Senior of The Year

Joseph devoted his life to volunteering. At the age of 12, he was trained in Air Raid Patrol where he patrolled the streets to protect civilians from the danger of overhead air raids. Then at 17 he joined the Merchant Navy and served during the Second World War. He continued in this role for over 35 years.

Joseph was a volunteer Firefighter at the Grace Hospital. In 1942 during a fire at the Knight of Columbus Joseph was head Firefighter and an integral part of the recovery efforts where many perished.

He is also an active member in his community as he is involved in the local legions and Knights of Columbus, where he calls bingo, serves meals, says grace, delivers hampers, and organizes events.