The walls of St. Boniface Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit are brighter, thanks to Foundation donor Gina Lambert-Wery and her siblings, Lisa Hettrick and Trevor Lambert. A vibrant new mural, alive with memories from their mother and grandmother, stands as a tribute to their family’s legacy at the Hospital.
Suzanne Proulx, during her time in nursing at St. Boniface Hospital.
The Lambert family’s history at St. B begins with their grandmother, Suzanne Proulx, affectionately known as ‘Nanny.’ Proulx worked at the Hospital in nursing, tending to patients and, closer to her retirement, keeping track of records. She often brought her adoptive daughter, Sheryl Lambert, to work with her. Lambert spent many days at the Hospital with her mom, and later volunteered as a nursing assistant.
Lambert-Wery’s grandmother and mother both spent their final days in St. B. The Lambert family continues to praise the exceptional care, communication, and understanding that comforted them during that difficult time. The mural stands as a tribute to their family, deeply rooted in the Hospital’s history.
“It’s not easy being on the palliative care floor,” Lambert-Wery explained. “I thought a mural would be something beautiful to look at, to take you away, even for a second.”
“St. Boniface is like our second home,” she shared, adding “We were all born here. My daughter was born here, as were my brother’s and sister’s children. It’s a special place in our family.”
Sheryl Lambert (left), with her mother, Suzanne Proulx (right).
Sprinkled with life and colour, the mural also incorporates some personal touches: Proulx’s morning ritual of feeding chickadees, and the grace of butterflies, which Lambert loved. The artwork blooms with daffodils, pink roses, and purple lilacs, their favourite flowers. The artist, Rachel Lancaster, worked thoughtfully with Lambert-Wery to make sure that both Lambert and Proulx came through in the art piece.
For Lambert-Wery’s birthday, she suggested friends and family donate towards this heartfelt tribute instead of going the traditional gift route. The response was overwhelming, with more than two-thirds of the mural’s cost coming from their inner circle.
“Even though I was ready to do this on my own, everyone contributed,” she said. “I was honestly speechless, and in tears. I couldn’t believe how supportive people were.”
The finished mural, painted by Rachel Lancaster.
The Foundation is grateful to the Lambert siblings, and their loved ones who generously shared in their act of kindness. Their gift has created a moment of beauty and joy in the middle of a challenging space. The mural stands not only as a work of art, but as a testament to the spirits of compassion, community, and family that define St. Boniface Hospital.