I’m a little old lady who has lived a long and colourful life. Half a lifetime ago, I left New York and moved to London, Ontario. At first, I thought, “I’m moving to the wilderness—how am I ever going to make a life here?” But slowly, with a little luck and a touch of ingenuity, I managed to build connections.
The first people I met were through my husband's work at Western University, and later, my dog became my passport into the community through walks in Gibbons Park. Friendships bloomed, and soon enough, I had my circle.
Music became very important to me and my three children. They all played two instruments, and we were all heavily involved in the arts world. In 2003, I started Serenata Music, a chamber music recital series that put on about 65 concerts with great artists from across Canada. In 2021, I decided to become involved with Symphonia London.
But life, as it often does, threw challenges my way. In November 2019, I was cooking when the sleeve of my dress caught fire. The flames raced up my arm, leaving me with burns that covered six per cent of my body. The first hospital I was taken to tried its best, but it wasn’t equipped for burn care. After a week, I was sent to Victoria Hospital. And there, I met Dr. Tanya DeLyzer, a plastic surgeon.
Dr. DeLyzer wasted no time. As soon as an operating room was available, she performed the first of several surgeries. My burns were frightening to look at, frightening to think about. My emotional state was very weak at that point. However, Dr. DeLyzer went through each step of the treatment poised, but calm and caring. She skillfully grafted skin from my thigh to repair the burns on my arm, neck and face. She truly saved my life. I’m so grateful there was a person of that calibre who came to me in my moment of great need. Her care also didn’t end in the operating room. She checked in regularly, ensuring my recovery was on track.
After the surgeries, I was referred to a physical therapist at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). For three years, he worked with me to restore function and mobility to my arm and hand. He was just superb and very knowledgeable.
Tragedy struck again when I lost my son, Daniel, in 2023. His adventurous spirit had taken him around the world, from Vancouver to Key West and eventually to Venezuela, where he passed away. Navigating this loss was the hardest thing I’ve ever faced. Yet, this crisis drove me to find my own way. I managed to finish my thesis and obtain a master’s degree in history, all while leaning on the community I’d built over the decades.
London has given me more than I ever imagined. Dr. DeLyzer deserves a lot of praise and recognition. So, I will always, as long as I am able, contribute to her efforts. The incredible care I received at LHSC and the relationships I’ve fostered here have shown me that a rich, meaningful life is built through connection—with people, with art and with institutions.