Abbotsford Seniors Centre 2025 look back 1990s

Article By Julie Ireton

Photo: Doritt Crosby congratulates Norm Knight at Volunteer appreciation event.

This year, Abbotsford at the Glebe Centre is set to mark 50 years as a social hub and service provider for seniors, and for Dorrit Crosby, long-time staffer and volunteer, there’s much to celebrate.

“Abbotsford is very important to a lot of people — it’s where important friendships form,” said Crosby. “And it was pretty much my only place of employment.”

For her, it all began in the craft room, helping with ceramics classes in 1977. Decades on, she’s now taking advantage of the centre’s activities as a retiree and member herself.

Crosby has watched programs at the seniors centre across from Lansdowne Park develop and evolve over the years.

1990s at Abbotsford

Back in the 1990s, she helped out with the popular luncheon club that would pick up 30 clients, two days a week for lunch, exercises, word games, and music at Abbotsford.

Luncheon club was designed to give seniors who were at risk of isolation some social interaction with others living on their own, she said.

“It was a fun program. I really liked it. It was mostly ladies, but also some men,” said Crosby. “I just fell in love with many of the participants.”

Then in 1996, she helped develop the centre’s ‘day away’ program as it got underway.

Still in operation today, ‘day away’ provides activities and entertainment for seniors diagnosed with early stage dementia. It also helps provide some respite for the spouses or caregivers at home who watch out for them.

“We spent months researching and going to other ‘day away’ programs to see how they were run,” said Crosby. “We recruited volunteers — some who are still helping.”

Teddy Bear production

Since the 1990s, Norma Knight, another volunteer-turned-Abbotsford member has spent much of her time at the centre with the teddy bear crafters.
“Abbotsford has been a very good place for me,” said Knight. “I could go there and make friends and contribute to what they were doing.”

Knight, who grew up in Quebec’s eastern townships, was young when she learned how to sew, so volunteering with the teddy bear group was a natural spot for her.

“I’ve made several friends over the years making teddy bears. A lot of us are getting to the older age group now, so it’s nice to go in and see them,” she said. “We’ve done some recruiting and there are now some newer, younger members too.”

Friendly face

By 2001, Crosby had worked in a variety of staff positions at Abbotsford when she moved into her role at the reception desk and became the friendly face when visitors came through the door.

“I retired on a Friday, but was back in the chair on Monday,” said Crosby about her volunteering. “I worked every day the first week of retirement.”

Now as an active member, Crosby helps out with fundraisers, answers phones or prices items for the annual garage sale.

A celebration is being planned for the official 50th anniversary this fall. And you can be sure that Crosby will be at the party.

Abbotsford Seniors Centre is part of The Glebe Centre Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit, organization which includes a 254 bed long term care home. Find out more about our services by dropping by 950 Bank Street (the old stone house) Mon-Fri 9-4 pm, telephoning 613-230-5730 or by checking out all of The Glebe Centre facilities and programming on our website www.glebecentre.ca