I am honoured to share the story of my parents, Dale and Geraldine Neily – two people whose lives were rooted in caring for their family and contributing quietly and meaningfully to the community around them.

My parents built a life together centred on family, hard work, and looking after others. Family gatherings were always at the heart of my parents’ lives, especially their Sunday night dinners. It was a place where people felt welcome, where laughter came easily, and where the example they set shaped the paths my sisters and I would follow.

Beyond their home, they were deeply committed to helping others in the community. Together, they helped establish the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity in North Bay and worked alongside Calvin Presbyterian Church to build wheelchair ramps for those in need, quietly offering their time and care to improve the lives of others.

My mother, Geraldine, was a nurse at the former St. Joseph’s Hospital. Nursing was never simply her work – it was who she was.

She carried warmth, compassion, and a natural kindness that stayed with people long after they left her care. She truly loved people and loved life. If you knew her, you likely remember her smile and her love of dancing, which could brighten any room.

My father, Dale, showed his care in quieter ways. Through his work, he helped build parts of the city that people still rely on today. He was steady, hardworking, and deeply devoted to his family. While he rarely looked for recognition, his efforts helped shape the place our family calls home.

Together, they raised four daughters and instilled in us the importance of caring for others and contributing wherever we could. Their example influenced each of our lives. Two of my sisters followed our mother into healthcare, working at the Civic Hospital and the North Bay Psychiatric Hospital. I also chose nursing as my profession, continuing a connection to care that began with our mother’s example both at home and in the hospital. It wasn’t until later in life, we really appreciate and understood the patient side of healthcare.

I have one vivid memory of my father that still makes me smile, during a time at North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC). He truly enjoyed the attention he received as a patient. Having been surrounded by nurses for most of his life – his wife and daughters – he had a special appreciation for the kindness and connection they offered. It was one of the rare times he allowed himself to simply be the one being cared for, and that meant a great deal to our family. I can remember seeing a gentle smile of gratitude on his face.

In the years that followed, both of my parents chose to receive care through MAID at NBRHC – first my father, and a few years later, my mother. Each of them passed peacefully, surrounded by family, in the community they had called home for so many years. Being able to share those final moments together, close to home and supported with such compassion and dignity, meant more to our family than words can express.

In many ways, our family’s story has grown alongside the history of healthcare here at home.

When we learned about the Foundation’s Celebrating Life Memorial Wall, it felt like a beautiful and fitting tribute to both of my parents. It honours my mother’s years of caring for patients as a nurse and recognizes the life my father helped build here for his family and those around him.

Because of the care my parents received at NBRHC, our family was able to stay close to them through their final chapters. We could spend time together, speak directly with their care teams, and support them with comfort and dignity here at home. Your gift helps make that possible for other families who want to remain near the people they love when it matters most.

Knowing that my parents’ memory continues to support care for families close to home brings our family great comfort. It’s a decision I know they would have been proud of.

With sincere appreciation,

Leeann

P.S. Having my parents’ names included on the Celebrating Life Memorial Wall is a lasting reminder of the care they gave to others and the care they received in return.