By Andrea Nicholl
A long time friend, volunteer and library liaison at Pioneer Lodge has been recognized by the Government of Alberta for her support and service to seniors.
Doris Spence was one of five Albertans honoured at the Minister’s Senior Service Awards presented at a special evening ceremony at Government House on June 9. Award recipients were selected based on their positive impact on seniors and the community, need for the service provided, quality and diversity and originality.
“They made you feel that you were one of the most special people they had ever met,” she said of her experience at the award ceremony. “It makes you feel proud that others think so highly about what you do.
“It’s very humbling and a very special honour.”
Spence realized the value of volunteers early in her career as an elementary school  teacher and says she saw the impact they had on programs, services and the community. While she volunteered throughout her career, it wasn’t until retirement 16 years ago, that she really committed her self to full-time volunteering.
Spence has volunteered at flu clinics at the Lloydminster Hospital for over eight years,  and maintains the courtyard, serves tea and visits with residents at the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Centre. She has also  volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society and assisted with the Arthritics Society’s “Self Help Program.”
During Tuesdays and Wednesdays Spence can be found at the public library and Pioneer Lodge, devoting her time to “her” seniors and a special project near and dear to her heart.
“I had never done anything for seniors until this dear little sweetheart, Irene Boyce, asked for somebody to help her provide reading materials for herself and her fellow Lodge residents. It was like all of a sudden someone shocked me said ‘get reading books?’ But we take so much for granted, all the little things and the ability to provide them for ourselves.”
The simple request from 96-year-old Boyce has grown to become a 10-year library program for seniors, and special responsibility taken on by Spence.
“She’s the one who started me on this and little did I know it would become such a special little thing,” said Spence. “I’ve become very attached to them. I call them ‘my’ seniors ... because they share so much of themselves.
“I’ve learned so much from them as far as life’s lessons and how to grow graciously and even dealing with death because that’s a big thing. I only have two of my original readers left, so I’ve lost a lot, but you have to learn how to say your final goodbyes. They’ve taught me that that’s life; you shed your tears and then you celebrate their life and who they were.”
Spence says she has 40 regular readers and a handful of casual readers who pick from a variety of nearly 200 books, selected and delivered by herself each week. Last year, the readers read a combined total of 1,700 books and in the last 10 years have only lost five, two of which were recovered.
While the work is heavy and recording is plentiful, the volunteer says the seniors’ appreciation is inspiring.
“When I started I had a little old lady who was 102 and she would go from one book to another, feel them, smell them and open them up. And she said to me, ‘Oh Doris you don’t know what this means.’ She said ‘you will never truly know what this means until you’re here because we can’t go and get them ourselves.’  
“It’s more than just a reading program. It’s a couple of hours of friendships, laughs and tears because they’re so willing to share.
“I have a special spot in my heart for each one of them.”