After Jack Grinyer鈥檚 wife passed away at St. Joseph鈥檚 General Hospital this summer, he decided to do something special for the staff as a thank you.

Last Friday, he sponsored a staff and volunteer appreciation tea to thank staff for the care his wife, Anne Hansen, received before she passed away Aug. 18 on the third floor at St. Joseph鈥檚.

鈥淪he was happy because at all times, (the staff) provided her with her dignity, and that was her biggest fear, losing her dignity,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey kept her comfortable until she passed, which was all I wanted. I didn鈥檛 want her to suffer. They provided her that dignity; that鈥檚 the biggest reason I feel they鈥檙e so good here.鈥�

Before she passed away, Hansen told Grinyer she wanted to do something for the staff, and Grinyer decided to do an event to show appreciation for the whole hospital.

He donated money to put on the staff and volunteer appreciation tea, complete with white tablecloths, floral centerpieces, gourmet appetizers and live music by the Divertimento Baroque Ensemble and by Roger Helfrick.

鈥淚 just felt we needed to do something to bolster the morale and make people feel appreciated for what they do,鈥� said Grinyer. 鈥淭his is the road we took, and we鈥檙e happy about that.鈥�

In a thank you letter to staff that was displayed in the Sisters Caf茅, Grinyer expressed his appreciation to all staff members and particularly those on the third floor.

鈥淎t this time, on behalf of myself and my late wife Anne, I would like to express from the bottom of our hearts, gratitude to the palliative care ward for the impeccable service they all provided to Anne in her last days,鈥� he wrote. 鈥淭hey allowed her to keep her dignity until the end. Also they made her room as comfortable and closest to a home atmosphere possible. They serve their motto well. For me, the constant support, ongoing updates from the staff and making sure my well-being was good during this stressful period was more than beyond their normal duties.鈥�

In particular, Grinyer thanked nurse Heather Murphy, who was with him when Hansen passed.

He also congratulated all the other departments at St. Joseph鈥檚 for their work.

During the tea, Grinyer announced that he has created a $2,500 staff bursary in Hansen鈥檚 memory, which will provide $500 each year for the next five years for a staff member for continuing education.

鈥淚 just feel I鈥檓 not rich or anything like that, but we have to show the appreciation in some form other than a newspaper thank you,鈥� he said.

Grinyer gave out 150 carnations to staff members as they entered the Sisters Caf茅 for the tea.

鈥淭his is a happy day for me, seeing the smiles on everyone鈥檚 faces,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou need this sort of thing.鈥�

Frances McAlonan, third floor clinical nurse leader, was impressed with Grinyer鈥檚 efforts.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 very encouraging because our staff work very hard every day to provide good patient care,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good feeling to have that acknowledged. I think it鈥檚 very special that someone from the public would do something for our staff and that they do notice how we strive to provide good care. In spite of the stress and always working against finite resources, we鈥檙e there for the patients and their families, so it鈥檚 really nice to know that in spite of everything, we are reaching our goal.鈥�

writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com