#21 Rita's Rescue

 

                                        RITA (SHEA) WHELAN WOOLLAM                                              

story told by Sara Shannon, Rita's daughter

Our Mom, an amazing woman, graduated in nursing at North Bay Nursing School in 1944 or 1946.  It was during mom's nursing days, that mom discovered that she was a silent hero, resilient, a survivor and clever. Mom or Rita Shea survived a fire which burned the nursing residence to the ground. My Mom apparently ran back into the burning building, after she was rescued, to save many nurses' lives by waking them up and escorting them out of the burning building.  My Mom remained silent forever about her heroic deeds.

It was after the fire ordeal that all the nurses were placed in another residence which was immediately hit by a major flood.  

After that the nurses were moved to Montreal. Mom then came down with scarlet fever. Her legs were covered in spots and she survived.

Mom's wealthy uncle got news of her upheaval at nursing school. Uncle Felix Roche sent Mom a cheque for $400. In those days, it was quite a bit of money.  My mom spent the whole cheque on a classic stylish suite in Montreal.

Our Mom, Rita, also got into trouble. She was called to the main office at the hospital for wearing lipstick. It was frowned up for the student nurses to wear lipstick at the hospital in 1944.

This is a small segment of whom our mother was and juts the beginning of much more...oh and Mom graduated school and received the award for being the most popular.

                                        North Bay Nuggett, Oct 22 1942

Rita Shea

    b. Apr 4, 1919 in Killaloe, Renfrew Co

    m. Stephen Whelan (1926-1950) on Dec 26, 1949

    m. Edward "Ted" Woollam (1914-2003) on Oct 15, 1956

    d. Sept. 23, 2017 in Pembroke, Renfrew Co

Steve's aunt--Whelan line