It would be difficult to calculate the number of lives touched by Madelyne MacKenzie and the West Vancouver United Church caring ministry, but the evidence is in plain view wherever she goes in her community.
At Madelyne’s retirement tribute held last Sunday at the church, one friend spoke about their trip to a local grocery store.
“What might be 10 minutes for you or me would be hours for Madelyne. Everyone wants to say hello.”
It’s true. The next day at West Vancouver Seniors Activity Centre, I saw Madelyne connect with person after person, most of whom she knows and some she does not. No matter. Every person receives what might be the greatest gift: to be seen and heard, to be recognized in that moment of connection.
Another friend, Barb Gibbins, concurs, “You couldn’t get a better friend, kind and thoughtful, always looking out for others. She gives you her undivided attention no matter what is going on.”
Madelyne, born and raised in Montreal, moved to West Vancouver in the 1970s with her husband Peter and their children Craig and Heather. Son Matthew came along in January 1984.
“I wanted to be at home with Matthew,” Madelyne recalls, “and I wanted to find ways to be involved in the community where he could be included. Remember the Kiwanis long-term care hospital on 22 Street? We visited there regularly, and you know the magic of babies. He was a magnet for those people, some who never ever had a visitor, and it helped me realize how many people need a touch of love.”
Another of Madelyne’s community endeavours involved Matthew. She wanted him to learn French and found there was nothing like conversation classes for little ones in French so she decided to start something. Children and parents gathered weekly at West Vancouver recreation centre for French conversation, the parents also participating in the talk. Faith is a thriving element in Madelyne’s life and Rev. John Gouws at West Vancouver United Church recognized this. He wanted Madelyne to join the church’s pastoral care ministry. “He would say, ‘I think it would be a good fit’,” says Madelyne, “and he was right.”
It took some time for Madelyne to get on board. She hadn’t forgotten the elderly people at the Kiwanis long-term care hospital who would end their days alone, unseen and unheard after their days of contributing were past, were it not for friendly visits from Madelyne and Matthew, and others like them. But life was full with family and friends and with interests in reading, art history and travel. Madelyne’s “dream jar” was calling too.
“Anything I want to do – a book I want to read, something I want to learn, or a place I want to visit – I write on a piece of paper and add it to my dream jar,” she explains.
The day came, inevitably, that “Rev. Gouws put the tap on me. He literally tapped me on the shoulder and said there’s an opening for you at the church and I think you should take it. I did and never for one second have I regretted that decision.”
For almost a quarter of a century, Madelyne and the reverend worked together in pastoral care through West Vancouver United Church.
Though most of their work was behind the scenes, the annual 90 and 90+ Lunch is a public legacy. Even together, Madelyne and John could not keep up with home birthday visits to individuals; there were simply too many people reaching the age of 90 in West Vancouver. The solution was an annual lunch to celebrate everyone 90 years of age and over in the community, not only the congregation. What’s next for Madelyne MacKenzie? Most people, after retiring from their working life, turn to serving their community as volunteers. What if your career has been all about serving others? Yes, Madelyne’s dream jar is full and needs to be emptied but for people like Madelyne, service to others is a given. “Caring makes a difference in the world. Whether you’re four or 104, there is always something we can do with love,” she says.
Laura Anderson works with and for seniors on the North Shore. Contact her at 778-279-2275 or e-mail her at [email protected].
