Dorothy Diotte, known as Dot to her friends, has been recognized for dedicating more than 30 years of her life to the Squamish General Hospital Auxiliary.
And at 94 years old, she continues to give of her time and energy to the cause, though she acknowledges some current health challenges slow her down a tad.
Diotte was honoured for her service to the Squamish General Hospital Auxiliary Society at a ceremony on Friday.
Originally from Toronto, Diotte moved to North Vancouver in the early 1970s and then to Squamish about 32 years ago, with her husband and two of her four children.
At the time she didn鈥檛 think there was much in Squamish, she says, but the place grew on her.
Soon after arriving in town, she started volunteering with the auxiliary.听
She had recently retired and was looking for something to do when she saw an advertisement in the paper for the organization.
鈥淚 thought, maybe that might work. If I don鈥檛 like it, I don鈥檛 have to stay 鈥� 30 years later I am still here,鈥� Diotte said with a laugh.
While there was plenty of work involved, she also had 鈥渁 real good time鈥� volunteering, she said.
Over the years she held various roles in the society including stints as president and vice-president. She helped in the mammogram clinic and put her former career as a women鈥檚 wear buyer to good use organizing and buying for the hospital gift shop.
鈥淪he still plays an important role in the auxiliary today,鈥� says fellow auxiliary member Carolynn Robertson, in a history of Diotte that Robertson wrote and had framed for Diotte.
Diotte鈥檚 granddaughter, Sarah Bainbridge and grandson Nicholas Goodwin, 14, were also in attendance for the ceremony.
鈥淪he鈥檚 an incredible woman, and I am in awe of her contributions,鈥� Bainbridge said. 鈥淪he is a dedicated volunteer, and she takes a lot of pride in working with other people in the community to raise money for the hospital. I know they have accomplished so much over the years.鈥�
Though the spotlight was on her at the ceremony, Diotte shined it back on the other members of the auxiliary.
鈥淣o one does anything alone,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e have a wonderful group.鈥�
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