Nurses Who Leave a Lasting Mark 
June 18, 2025
There is something profoundly moving about being cared for by those who, like you, chose a life of care. Judy Wilson and Thelma Barclay are two retired nurses living at Ocean Hall in Moncton, New Brunswick, whose stories remind us of the quiet, powerful impact of a life spent in service of others.
Judy Wilson
After graduating in the early 1960s, Judy decided to become a nurse. She remembers her mother being very proud of her and happy for her. Having always enjoyed helping others, Judy recalls that nursing was the right calling for her. Judy began her career in pediatrics and later became a floater, working across multiple departments at the Moncton Hospital.
Little did she know that one day, she would be cared for by nurses she once mentored. Both Ocean Hall’s Community Manager and Health Services Manager did work terms under Judy’s guidance when they started their respective nursing careers.
“Life is full of surprises, and we could say that it’s gone full circle from me caring for others, to becoming a mentor to those who lead the team who care for me today,” she says, proudly holding a photo from her nursing school graduation.
Thelma Barclay
Thelma began her nursing career at LaChine General Hospital in Quebec in 1956. For as long as she can remember, she has wanted to be a nurse. She loved caring for others and being there for her patients.
While nurses’ scope of practice was somewhat limited in the past, she completed special training that enabled her to administer IV therapy. She was one of the first nurses to have this knowledge.
To this day, she can still sense the fulfillment she felt when contributing to saving lives as a nurse. “I know I’ve touched many lives, and I’m proud of having worked as a nurse,” she says with a smile, showing off a handmade necklace, a gift from a First Nation patient she once cared for. She wears it every day.
Through every patient, every shift, and every moment of care, Judy and Thelma have left behind more than memories. They’ve left a legacy, and we are fortunate to learn from them every day.
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