Retired Public Health Nurse says Elim Living ‘Suits Me to a T’

It’s a sunny Tuesday afternoon and a group of Elim Village residents are on a shopping trip to beautiful District 1881. After perusing a few shops, someone mentions wanting to pop over to a well-known shoe store. It’s just outside the District, so long-time Chilliwack resident Yvonne Millward guides them on the short walk-through downtown to their destination. With a warm smile and ready wit, she keeps an eye out for those who aren’t familiar with the town she has called home for over 30 years.  

Looking out for others is something Yvonne, a former public health nurse, nursing instructor and member of the Chilliwack Players Guild, has been known for her entire working life. “I enjoyed a rewarding career,” she says of making daily home visits to people in Chilliwack and the surrounding area, including CFB Chilliwack. “Back then, B.C. had the best public health system in Canada.” 

Though she’s been retired for 25 years, Yvonne still keeps an eye out for others. Since moving into Elim Village Garrison Crossing just over a year ago, she’s become known for it among fellow residents and staff. “Yvonne has fully embraced this stage of life with an incredible attitude,” says Kelly Kallevig, who serves as concierge in The Hawthorn building, where Yvonne lives. “She seeks out social connections and to make people feel comfortable and connected.” 

Born in Montreal, Yvonne grew up just across the river in St. Lambert and was educated at a small Catholic convent day school. She wanted to train as a nurse and earned a spot in Montreal General Hospital’s nursing program. Family ties led her to Toronto, where she applied at Toronto General Hospital at the behest of the then-director of nursing. In 1957, she began her training in a class of 100 nursing students. “I felt quite at home in that massive hospital,” she says. “It was the start of a really exciting career.” 

She came out west and worked at Vancouver’s Shaughnessy Hospital for two years before returning to Montreal’s McGill University to earn a degree in public health in 1962. She worked in public health for almost a decade until she pursued a degree in teaching and administration in nursing at the University of Ottawa. She went on to teach medical and obstetrical nursing until 1979, when she moved to Chilliwack and worked in public health until her retirement in 1999. 

In 1983, Yvonne joined the Chilliwack Players Guild (CPG). Her first foray into theatre was an unsuccessful group audition for a musical. “I failed miserably,” she laughs. “It didn’t take long for the casting director to walk by and figure out which of us was off.” Instead, she landed a different role: assisting with makeup in the back of house. Turned out, being behind the scenes was just the ticket; she spent the next 33 years as a Guild member. That first show – The Music Man – featured a young Chuck Strahl in the cast. “Being part of the CPG for all those years was really something,” she says. “I was agog with what life was like behind the stage. 

When the time came to consider retirement living, she happened on a copy of ‘The Best of Chilliwack,’ a yearly publication, that she’d kept. She flipped open the back page and spotted an Elim Village ad; two months later, she moved in.  

In the time since, Yvonne has settled in to life at Elim Village. She spends her time socializing with fellow residents and stays active by going for daily walks with friends. “I don’t need to worry about anything,” she says. “I’m well taken care of here. And if I need help hanging a picture or cleaning, the friendly staff are right there. Living at Elim suits me to a T.” 

Learn more about our Garrison Crossing community and the various housing options available, as well as the array of unique amenities and services offered by calling 604-769-0022, or emailing garrisoncrossing@elimvillage.com. Stay up to date with our latest offerings by subscribing to our mailing list.

READ MORE!

• Annual Health & Wellness Fair focuses on Healthy Aging
• Former CFB Chilliwack officer finds new home at Elim Village