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
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Whooping cough epidemic sweeps Europe, health agency says
European countries have reported a surge in whooping cough cases in 2023 and the first quarter of 2024, with 10 times as many identified as in each of the previous two years.