Mama Gray talks about feeling safe and cared for at Spruce View Lodge

Irma Gray has been a fixture in Whitecourt for decades. You may not know her personally, but you undoubtedly will recognize one of her nicknames. “I’m called Granny Gray and Mama Gray. My name is on the ice cream stand beside Moose Country Petro Canada. I do not own it anymore, and everybody that buys it asks me if I would mind leaving my name up there. I always said that if using my name helps you, then you can definitely keep it up there.” Another business also bears her nickname, and that’s the catering business that her daughter, Kelly, runs called Catering by Mama Gray’s Kitchen. Kelly also runs the restaurant at the Scott Safety Centre. Irma has enjoyed working alongside her daughter through both.

Irma Gray arrived in the community from her family farm north of Mayerthorpe when she was just 18 years old. Back then, things were much different. She watched as businesses grew, new streets were named, the population rose, and Whitecourt became the place that it is today. “The community was a wonderful place when I moved here,” she said. One of the first jobs that she had in Whitecourt was as a cook at the restaurant her sister and brother-in-law rented downtown. “I cooked there for a couple of years.”

When she was 20, she married Allan Gray, and together, they started to build their family. In the late 60’s they purchased the Jack Pine Motel, which used to be near the Pine Plaza. The couple ran the business for 20 years. During that time, Gray taught Brownies and was also involved with the children at the skating rink. “I was just busy, busy besides being busy at the motel.” Even from a young age, helping others and volunteering her time was important to her.

When Tennille’s Hope opened, she was the first person to cook in the kitchen. “I cooked the first meal, and I was there for about ten years. After I had my hip surgery, I had to leave, but I still go there and talk to my wonderful friends.” She also helped raise money for the men’s shelter, Lorne’s Blanket, by getting a little chilly. “We had sleepovers outside in the winter,” she laughed. Irma’s community-driven mindset and willingness to help others led to her receiving the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in 2013.

Now at 82, Gray still loves to reach out and help everybody. Up until her hip surgery in November, she was still active in her daughter’s businesses and volunteering. With the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing, she is now unable to leave and socialize as she usually would, but she said that she is delighted to be where she is. Just before the pandemic kicked up into full gear, Gray moved into the Spruce View Lodge on February 5. “I would like to tell everyone what a wonderful place this home is. I am so thankful that I am here. You always hear so much negativity, and I’m just so thankful that I’m here with all this COVID-19 stuff going on.”

She said that she feels completely safe and that the staff are “absolutely wonderful.” She put her name on the list roughly six months before her November fall and said she was happy to get in so quickly. She said that having the staff to support her has been such a relief. “I think it’s the safest, most wonderful place in the world. Not in Alberta or Canada, but the world.”

She said that she could not imagine them being able to do any more than they are already doing to keep residents safe. Since she could no longer drive herself and go downtown due to the lockdown, Gray said her son parked her vehicle for her. “Gradually, reports came in with do’s and don’ts from the government and our wonderful manager Diane would come and read us the updates.”

As updates came in, things would change, and new measures would be added. Irma said that staff get checked at the door and that their temperatures are taken. She noted that residents get their temperatures monitored twice a day, and while she chatted with the Press for her interview, she had to pause for a temperature check. Residents can’t have visitors, and they have to keep their distance. “They are constantly cleaning and wiping things down. We used to sit four to a table, and now we can only sit two to a table. Our activities are very regulated, and we can only have a maximum of 10 people in the big legacy room.”

She said she is beyond grateful for all the efforts happening to keep not only her safe but every resident and staff in the facility. “I think a majority of the residents feel like I do, that they are doing all of this to keep us safe. What would you do any differently if you were in your own home?” Gray said she spends her days watching televised Christian services, doing crossword puzzles and taking part in the various activities offered at Spruceview Lodge, such as yoga.

“I’m also on the phone a lot because I have lots of family and friends that call me.” She said that she hopes the staff at Spruceview know just how much they are appreciated. “It’s for our safety and health. I feel very safe. They are just so caring and patient, and anything you ask for, they will accommodate you. I thank them for doing what they do and going above and beyond for us.”