| GRETL - Gretl Horn, born August 4, 1920 and died August 9, 2003. Gretl Horn and Ami Scheel both Registered Nurses from Germany, came by boat to Canada the beginning of November 1953 and travelled three days by train to arrive in Coronation. The late Jack Noonan, the secretary-treasurer of the Hospital District met them at the CPR Station. Gretl found things were done very differently in the Coronation Hospital than in Germany. Everyone was so kind and helpful to her, she accomplished the changes without difficulty. She admired the work and the surgical engagements of Dr. O’Brien, often under difficult circumstances such as finishing surgery or delivering babies without electric lighting, but instead with the use of coal oil lamps. Gretl was an eloquent, kind, caring person who soon became involved in the community and often spent time visiting sick persons in their homes. She worked very hard and was admired by both staff and patients. Gretl was an exceptionally well experienced nurse, devoted to the nursing profession and the hospital patients. She came at a time when nurses were in short supply. The community was enriched by her presence and her pleasant easy day by day acceptance of the reality of the free country Canada. In 1954 Kathi Toedt arrived and loved working in the hospital on her stay in Coronation. She was an exceptionally intelligent hard working Registered Nurse and made many friends. The three nurses time spent in Canada was unforgetable to them and was often mentioned in their letters. Ami Scheel died a number of years ago but Kathy Toedt continues to live in Germany. They had all returned to Germany December 1955. |