The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.2005, Side 32

158
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 59 #4
“I joined Soskin in 1969 and enjoyed
my years as a member working to enhance
the lives of the residents at Hofn. Our
bazaars there, held twice a year, involved
work, but it was always so nice to meet
people there and enjoy the companionship
of the Solskin Ladies. Even today, we get
together for lunch and a lot of happy and
friendly talk.”
- Olga Holm.
“While I sat in the Solskin Garden on
May 15, 2005 my thoughts struggled with
the loss that was coming up within the next
few months. I was sitting with so many
caring friends as we thought back to the
many years of being Solskin members. This
would be the last Anniversary party at
Hofn, the last cake eaten there and the last
barbeque enjoyed there.
My first thought was, “ Why did the
founding committee choose the word
Hofn for the building thay had in mind?”
Hofn means harbour or refuge from immi-
nent danger. Icelanders have, in the main,
historically been sailors or in some way
connected to the sea. From the old laws of
Iceland the sick, elderly and the infirm have
by law been allowed help and refuge. So
perhaps harbour seems a very apt and real-
istic name, even for this day and age.
True to the high standards of the staff
and personnel over the years Hofn has
maintained its dignity and attained the
highest accreditation every year. A credit
to the Administrator and her staff. As this
year ends the Solskin Ladies are saddened
to lose the building Hofn, which has meant
so much to them over so many years. This
building has seen the loving care put into
keeping it up; connecting with the residents
with gifts, Christmas and birthday gifts and
hosting parties. Hopefully the new facility
will rise to meet a new set of government
rules and regulations; hopefully, probably
for a group with different needs, hopefully
their needs will be met with the same
patient loving care.
When I moved my husband Ivan from
another Care Home to Hofn I did so with
the sure knowledge that he would receive
better and more personal care from all per-
sonnel. My feelings remain, as always, that
Hofn was indeed a refuge, a haven—
Hofn.”
- Geraldine Thorlakson.
As the Icelandic flag has been taken
down, as the doors of Hofn have been
closed for the last time and demolition
takes place, the hopes and dreams that nur-
tured the Icelandic Care Home Hofn, will
continue in another concept and place; the
old Icelandic books from Hofn, some of
which had come from Iceland in kofforts
and the beautiful oak bookcases that
housed them, now adorn the walls of the
Icelandic Heritage Library at Iceland
House; The Silver Tea Service and numer-
ous cups and saucers, as well as other
Solskin memorabilia are in use at Iceland
House; the stove which Oscar and Helga
Howardson donated to Hofn in 1963 now
is used to make meals to needy people on
Vancouver’s East Side, due to the efforts of
Aleck and Maria McKay, who are involved
with the Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship
Group. The upcoming Assisted Living
facility will house Aunt Bertha’s cabinet
and memorabilia; the Hofn sign and
Solskin Kitchen and Solskin Garden signs
will become memorabilia; the grandfathers
Clock will still chime at the new facility
and Albert Teng’s desk will still be in use;
the Hofn Society Board will continue to
play a role in the operation of the new facil-
ity. These will all be gentle reminders of the
Icelandic presence, with its tradition of car-
ing and compassion for all who are entrust-
ed to their care.
The official groundbreaking ceremony
for the Icelandic Assisted Living Residence
took place on October 28, 2005, at 2020
Harrison Drive in Vancouver, with gov-
ernment dignitaries and a large crowd in
attendance. This was the site of the
Icelandic Care Home Hofn, which has
now been demolished to make way for the
new residence, slated to open in 2007.
Albert Teng, Executive Director of the
Icelandic Care Home Hofn Society, acted
as emcee, introducing dignitaries
Honourable Ujjal Dosanjh, MP for
Vancouver South and Minister of Health;
Honourable Wally Oppal, MLA for