Thirty writers at Shannon Oaks, a retirement home in Oak Bay, have come together and launched a book filled with meaningful short stories from their lives.
Two years in the making, Memories is a 135-page book that spans topics such as advice on how to stay young, what life was like growing up on the farm, and vivid moments like the night Japanese submarines were spotted off the coast of Vancouver Island.
"There are so many incredible stories to be told here," staff member Waldo deGroot wrote in the book's acknowledgments.
The thoughtful idea for the book came from resident Ruth Welburn, a writer who started a writing group at the retirement home.
The book was a collaborative effort, made possible by many dedicated individuals – including those who oversaw marketing, transcribed the stories, and devoted countless hours to collecting, compiling, and organizing them.
Even the book's cover was designed and painted by 96-year-old Joan Fraser, a resident since 2019 who worked for 18 years in the advertising department at Woodwards Victoria.
"Everyone is just in awe of it," said Kailee Haaksma, marketing manager at Shannon Oaks. "It is pretty wonderful to see the purpose and joy this project gave our residents. It's giving them motivation.
"Now their stories are published for the world to read."
Memories is available on Amazon.
