Former SickKids nurse and grieving family stay connected over 60 years
Six decades ago, a young boy passed away at SickKids in Toronto, and despite the passage of time, one nurse's profound impact on the grieving family endures, with the two parties continuing to exchange Christmas cards to this day.
In 1962, Lois Clark's seven-year-old son, David, was diagnosed with leukemia and was taken to the Toronto hospital for children, where the family met a nurse named Barbara Gentry.
The 18-year-old Barbara, who went to nursing school in Orillia and had started her placement at SickKids, made an imprint on the Clarks during a devastating time for the family.
Lois Clark holds a photo of her son, David, who died of leukemia. (CTV News/Molly Frommer)
Fast forward to the present day, and the enduring bond between the two women persists, having weathered the test of time.
"It's been wonderful because she's a special person to me and always has been. She sent me a letter after David passed away saying how sorry she was and that if she had a little brother, she would have wanted him to be like David," said Lois.
"Somehow, they have followed me all over the world," Barbara said. "She has sent me a Christmas card without fail and a letter every year since."
Barbara Gentry is pictured after graduating nursing school in Orillia, Ont. (Supplied)
Although separated physically, the two recently rekindled their connection virtually after 60 years.
Lois and Barbara exchange updates on their journeys each year, sharing glimpses of personal and family milestones.
For Barbara, the Clarks are not just a fleeting memory but a cherished part of her narrative.
"Just the whole story - I've never forgot. I've often told friends about the lady that still sends me a card," said Barbara.
Lois and Barbara vow to continue the tradition of exchanging letters and cards, bridging the years and miles that separate them.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Looking over our shoulders': A killing looms large in a little B.C. town
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished. It used to be the sort of place where parents let their kids roam free or play in the local creek, but everything has changed.
Officer who arrested Scottie Scheffler is being disciplined for not having bodycam activated
The Kentucky police officer who arrested top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler outside the PGA Championship is receiving “corrective action” for failing to have his body-worn camera activated.
Toronto man falls off his chair after seeing $70M Lotto Max win in his bank account
A Toronto man who won $70 million in a recent Lotto Max draw literally fell off his chair when he saw the funds in his bank account – and the life-changing moment was caught on video.
Montreal-area high school students protest 'sexist' dress code
Students at Curé-Antoine-Labelle High School near Montreal are protesting after they say their school's administration started pushing what they call a 'sexist' dress code.
Air travel is expensive. WestJet wants the government to do more to change that
WestJet is asking the federal government to put measures in place to lower ticket costs for travellers, but questions remain on who would foot the bill.
Hundreds have applied for this 'adventurer' job in Banff National Park
Coined as Banff's 'ultimate summer job,' the Moraine Lake Bus Company says hundreds of people from across the world have applied for its adventurer position.
Dangerous brew: Ocean heat and La Nina combo likely mean more Atlantic hurricanes this summer
Get ready for what nearly all the experts think will be one of the busiest Atlantic hurricane seasons on record, thanks to unprecedented ocean heat and a brewing La Nina.
U.S. senators write to Trudeau asking him to meet 2% GDP defence spending commitment
A bipartisan group of 23 U.S. senators have written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging his country to live up to its commitment to spend 2 per cent of GDP on defence amid concerns that key members of the NATO alliance are not pulling their weight.
Potential tornado 'surreal' for residents who witnessed damaging storm in southern Ontario
Witnessing a potential tornado was 'surreal' for residents who caught a glimpse of the damaging storm in southern Ontario on Wednesday night.