Turning Life into Poetry
80-year-old Virginia Stewart belies the stereotype of the inactive older adult. Her passion is the arts, and when she’s not writing she’s painting, singing or enjoying any number of activities available at United’s Garrison Green community.
“I’m a doer!’ she says proudly. “I’m an active person. Always have been. I served on several boards – the Calgary Foundation, Carewest, the Dementia Care Network – and with my husband Fred we were very active in the community. I’ve kept active, learning and enjoying life. When I turned 70 I decided to go back to school!” Virginia earned a BA in English from the University of Calgary.
She was born in Sudbury, and raised in Windsor, Ontario. Her father was a journalist, and it may have been partly his influence that gave Virginia her love for language and writing. While she didn’t pursue her father’s path in journalism, writing and languages became important to her. She speaks fluent English, some French and studied voice. “Singing is a passion for me, as is painting and poetry.”
Her father was transferred to Toronto, and it was there she met her husband Fred. They had two sons, Doug and Gordon. Gordon passed away from cancer when he was only 26.
Last year, one of her poems, based on a childhood tale for her children, sparked a desire within the community to create a book of poetry, The Wayward Umbrella, that was sold locally, with money raised going to wildlife conservation.
In a recent poem she wrote for a friend, she describes the ocean at Island Hall resort in Parksville, B.C.
“Why did I choose to go back to school at 70? Well, my parents couldn’t afford a higher education for me, and after we were married I helped put my husband through law school. It was simply my turn,” said laughs.
Writing – and poetry – are very important tools of self expression for Virginia. “I express myself through poetry. Whatever is influencing my life will appear in one of my tales. You need passion in your life, and poetry – and painting – allow me to express my passions.”
Last year, during the Ft. McMurray wildfires, the subject of passion came up in the Garrison Green art studio. The result for Virginia was a large canvas she named “The Beast” after the name given to the wildfire. Strong colours combined with a snippet of poetry reflected an emotional response to what was happening in northern Alberta.
The word passion comes up often when discussing art with Virginia. Passion for the arts, her family, and her life. Those passions haven’t been dulled by a stroke a few years ago that reduced her mobility. It happened while playing golf, a game that she pursued with, well, passion.
“When Gordon passed away, his friends created an annual golf tournament to honour his memory. The tournament went 12 years until June of 2013 – the day of the Calgary floods – I felt ill on the third hole and I sat down under a tree to recover. That stroke was the first of my health challenges.”
Virginia continues to paint, write poetry and sing in the choir. She visits the local art galleries and some of the music performances, both outside and within the community. Her social calendar is full. “I’m as busy as I want to be.” And for Virginia, that’s poetry in motion.
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