The Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, today announced the recipients of the 2019 Seniors of Distinction Awards. The awards recognize the contributions, achievements and diversity of seniors throughout the province.

This year’s recipients are Lorraine Best of Paradise, Annie Brennan of Marystown, Noreen Careen of Labrador City, Olga Kinden of Green Island Cove, and John McGrath of St. John’s. A formal awards ceremony to honour these individuals will take place on October 1, which is International Day of Older Persons and National Seniors Day.

For more information on each of the recipients of the 2019 Seniors of Distinction Awards, see the backgrounder below.

Quote
“As Seniors Month comes to a close, I want to take this opportunity to recognize the recipients of the 2019 Seniors of Distinction Awards. These individuals are community builders and leaders, bringing people together to find solutions and help advance our overall well-being as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. It will be a privilege to celebrate with the award winners and their families at the ceremony in October.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development

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Learn more
Seniors of Distinction Awards

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Media contact
Gina MacArthur
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
ginamacarthur@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER
Recipients of the 2019 Seniors of Distinction Awards

Lorraine Best, Paradise
Born in 1933 and now living in Paradise, Ms. Best has been a long standing seniors advocate, volunteering her time to make the province a safer and more welcoming place. She believes in celebrating age, while she strongly opposes any hint or action that promotes “ageism.” Ms. Best is an outspoken advocate and a well- recognized educator, speaker and presenter on ageism and elder abuse. Using her experience as an educator, she has developed curriculum on elder abuse, worked jointly with crime prevention committees and policing agencies, served as a consultant and spokesperson on issues impacting aging persons and has travelled and continues to travel the province presenting on these topics. In addition to serving as a member of the St. John’s Citizens’ Crime Prevention committee for 10 years, Ms. Best has served on the City of St. John’s Seniors Advisory Committee as an Organization Representative for SeniorsNL since 2009. This committee works with city staff and members of council to provide information and advice on a variety of city business.

Annie Brennan, Marystown
Annie Brennan was born in Marystown in 1930. She is known throughout Marystown and is admired for her humbleness and ongoing commitment to volunteering. At 88, Ms. Brennan still volunteers with the Mercy Associates, a group that maintains a formal relationship to the Sisters of Mercy and assists them in their work. She has previously been involved with the Marystown Family Aid Committee, Canadian Cancer Society, and Catholic Women’s League. In recognition of decades of volunteer work, Ms. Best has been named Citizen of the Year by the Marystown Lions Club and has also received citations from the Red Cross and Canadian Cancer Society.

Noreen Careen, Labrador City
Noreen Careen was born in 1955 and currently resides in Labrador City. An active volunteer, she has been involved in community organizations throughout Labrador, including the Status of Women Council, Hope Haven Shelter, Newfoundland and Labrador 50+ Federation, IOC-Labrador West Community Advisory Panel, Labrador West Housing and Homelessness Coalition, and Seniors Pioneer Living. Ms. Careen is a member of the Provincial Advisory Council for Aging and Seniors and is known by the residents of Labrador West as someone who can always be approached to assist and advocate for seniors. 

Olga Kinden, Green Island Cove
Olga Kinden was born in Green Island Cove in 1949 and is an integral member of her community as a regular volunteer. As a Girl Guide leader on the Northern Peninsula for over 30 years, she provided options for young people in an area with limited opportunities for recreation. In addition to her work in guiding, Ms. Kinden served on the Board of Directors of personal care homes in Flowers Cove. Through her work with the Green Island Cove Lions Club, she donated time filling out grant applications for projects to allow people to qualify for employment insurance. She also took the lead in organizing the town’s first Come Home Year – which successfully drew over 1,000 people to the area. These activities are in addition to her roles with the community’s Anglican Church which included Sunday school teacher, treasurer, and co-chair of the Parish Council.

John McGrath, St. John’s
Born in 1949 and residing in the St. John’s area, John McGrath has a long history of volunteering with various sporting groups across the province. His expertise and services led him to a reputation as honest, dedicated and hard working. In addition to being an active member of the Newfoundland and Labrador Soccer Association (including serving as President from 1979 to 1981), Mr. McGrath established the Masters Soccer Division for players 30 years and older. He also supported increased opportunities for women in the sport. Mr. McGrath brought international sport to the province with the Canada vs. Honduras World Cup soccer qualifier in 1985, as well as the FIFA U18 World Championship. He also served as an executive member of both Sport Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Sports Hall of Fame. Mr. McGrath was elected as a member of the Commonwealth Games Association of Canada. In addition to his time volunteering with various sport initiatives, he had a 40-year career as a lawyer and also served as a member of the Mental Health Care and Treatment Review Board and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) Complaints Commission.