I was born in a rural hospital--E M Crowe Memorial Hospital. But who? And I wasn't the only one with that question. So I did some research and... Wow!
E M Crowe Memorial Hospital
Elizabeth Mary Alexander was born in Clifton--a rural community located in Colchester County, Nova Scotia--on March 31, 1856. Yes, that's right, she was born at the height of the Victorian era. Queen Victoria reigned from June 20, 1837, until her death on January 22, 1901--63 years. The era was named in her honour. Victorians believed that a woman's place was in the home. Unless... Unless you married rich. Then the societal expectation was that you would adopt a cause on your husband's behalf. You know like a public relations agent. Elizabeth married wealthy grain merchant George Reading Crowe and set to work bettering the good name of Crowe. She held important positions in a number of organizations--the Manitoba branch of the YWCA Dominion Council, the Winnipeg YWCA, the Westminster Presbyterian Church Ladies' Society, the Women's Canadian Club of Winnipeg, and the Women's Missionary Society.
It was as the President of the Women's Missionary Society that Elizabeth M Crowe became involved with the community of Eriksdale. Under her leadership, the Women's Missionary Society searched for a location in rural north-central Manitoba to establish a much-needed hospital. They choose Eriksdale.
'The building was soon started with a member of Mrs. Crowe's family as its architect. However, before the completion of the hospital, Mrs. Crowe died [on November 6, 1918] and as a memorial to her services and benevolent donations, the hospital was named after her... The hospital was officially opened in May of 1926.' 1
'In 1940...the upstairs of the hospital became the maternity ward with a delivery room, nursery, and six patient beds.' 2
The E. M. Crowe Memorial hospital was the site of an event that should be included in the history books. On November 13,1962 at 4:46 PM, I was delivered by Dr. Gudmundur Paulson. Dr. Paulson served as Eriksdale's physician from 1939 to 1980.
Mom told me that an elderly patient protested my infant cries by knocking on the ceiling of her room--the floor of ours--with her cane.
'In November 1962, the digging began for a new hospital, and in September 1963, the new E. M. Crowe Memorial Hospital was opened.' 1--'a seventeen bed, plus five bassinets, acute care hospital, with modern x-ray and delivery rooms, and wide spacious halls.' 2
Mom--Olavia Willetts--had a long history of involvement with the hospital. In her twenties, she worked as a nurse's aide. In her forties and fifties, she worked first in the laundry room and later in the kitchen. Mom was an honorary member of the hospital guild--having served the guild for over 30 years. Over the years she and the other members of the guild help to raise funds to support the hospital. To honour their tireless work, on August 10, 1984, Eriksdale's Guild Memorial Park was officially opened. In 1988, to celebrate the Guild's 75th anniversary, the Municipal Council declared Guild week--June 20 to 25.
The E. M. Crowe Memorial Hospital has changed much over the years but Elizabeth Mary Crowe's legacy remains. But for how long? I've just been informed that the powers that be are threatening to close it down. I hope that this hospital is allowed to continue to serve the Interlake.
Helpful resources...
Elizabeth Mary Crowe by the Manitoba Historical Society
Books about the E. M. Crowe Memorial Hospital in Eriksdale, Manitoba...
1 Memory Opens the Door, Lucy Lindell, 1970 and 1974
2 Beyond Beginnings, Eriksdale History Book Committee, 1996
