November 16, 2022
The first-ever Lily Stone Gala raised more than $34,000 in support of the Heart Failure Clinic at St. Boniface Hospital.
The August 13 event marked the debut of a new three-season 3,600 square-ft. venue for weddings and receptions in Rosenort, 30 minutes south of Winnipeg.
For Kelly Tellier, owner of the Lily Stone Gardens and Café, the event was more than a showcase for a thriving floral shop and homecooked meals.
“The Gala was a tribute to both my mom and dad. It was a celebration of entrepreneurship, and a celebration of dreams and hard work.”
David Zuk passed away in April 2021 at age 73. He left behind his wife Valerie of 46 years, daughter Kelly, son Jason, and a large extended family.
“He was not old enough,” Tellier said, the emotion of the loss plain in her voice.
“About 10 years ago, my dad started experiencing issues with his heart. He had a pacemaker put in 2009 and was diagnosed with heart failure in 2010. He became a patient of the St. Boniface Hospital Heart Failure Clinic.”
The Heart Failure Clinic, located in the Bergen Building at St. Boniface Hospital, is a multi-disciplinary team of health care practitioners including specialty trained cardiologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, research coordinators and support staff.
Hard work, pride in labour
Growing up on the family farm near Arborg, Tellier witnessed her dad working hard and taking pride in his labour.
“My dad was an extremely dedicated farmer,” said Tellier. “He lived for the season changes and to watch his fields grow every year.”
He was also resourceful.
“He was his own carpenter, mechanic, and inventor.”
Her dad’s passion for farming was incredibly evident. And that passion of owning a small business has flowed over into both her and her brother’s businesses, as well as to their respective families.
A diversified approach
“Mom and Dad taught us to take a diversified approach and to be creative. My business is like that now,” said Tellier, adding that Jason’s family business, Bar Z Ranch, supplied beef for the Gala dinner.
“They modelled a strong work ethic, the importance of raising kids in a way that teaches them to work hard for things they dream of, and to always be looking ahead at how to improve things.”
Tellier drew on those lessons as she planned the new venue’s launch amid the uncertainty of the pandemic.
“Logistically it was a big challenge. It was a new thing for us. Our staff and partners put in a lot of hours to make sure everything went off without a hitch.”
After months of planning, it was gratifying to welcome 130 guests for supper on a nice summer evening, Tellier said.
“My husband Roland’s father has passed away as well, so we had special chairs of honour for my mom and my mom-in-law. We honoured our dads. It was a great celebration of all they had taught us.”
“Afterward, our main feeling was exhaustion. Still, I wished it could have lasted a little longer. There were so many proud moments with staff.”
“This was a wonderful opportunity to grow in a new way and help people at the same time. This was all about comfort, home, food, and flowers.”
“St. Boniface had a big impact on our lives.”
Tellier said it felt right to direct Gala proceeds to St. Boniface Hospital.
“St. Boniface had a big impact on our lives. Over his last couple of years my dad was as the hospital multiple times for weeks at a time.”
“We came to rely on dad’s nurse practitioner and doctor. They walked us through everything that was happening and what to expect. It was such an important connection for my family. They both took the time to send me and my mom a handwritten note after dad passed away.”
And what would David Zuk have made of the Lily Stone Gala?
“Dad loved a party and good food. He would have been impressed to see how our business has grown and would have loved to be in the room celebrating with us on that day.”
Related
https://stbhf.ca/en/stories/raising-spirits-raising-funds/
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