Celebration recognizing Dr. Patricia Marsden Dole, 2015 Ontario Senior Achievement Award winner

The Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, SJ, Archbishop of Ottawa and Chancellor of Saint Paul University and Dr. Chantal Beauvais, Rector of Saint Paul University are proud to present the 2015 Ontario Senior Achievement Award to Dr. Patricia Marsden-Dole.

WHAT: Celebrating Dr. Patricia Marsden‑Dole, 2015 Ontario Senior Achievement Award winner

WHEN: Monday, April 25 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

WHERE:Saint Paul University, in room L120, Laframboise Hall

Dr. Patricia Marsden-Dole is the recipient of the 2015 Ontario Senior Achievement Award; an award that recognizes individuals who, after the age of 65, have made significant contributions to their communities. Patricia Marsden-Dole is a leader, community activist and advocate for seniors’ issues in Ontario. A graduate of our Doctor of Ministry program, she is working collaboratively with Saint Paul University to establish a Chair on Aging in an Aging Society.

Dr. Marsden-Dole was to have her award presented to her at Queen’s Park on November 26, 2015, by the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and the Honourable Mario Sergio, Minister Responsible for Seniors Affairs. However, as the original date coincided with the funeral services for her late husband, publisher and community leader Paul Dole, she is now being locally recognized for her advocacy work and research to enhance the quality of life for Ontario’s seniors.

About Patricia Marsden-Dole

Patricia Marsden-Dole is a leader, community activist and advocate for seniors’ issues in Ontario. An articulate and passionate speaker, Patricia has awakened many persons and organizations as to the social, economic, ethical, and spiritual impact of becoming an aging society. She is working collaboratively with Saint Paul University and an international network of collaborators to establish a Chair on Aging in an Aging Society at Saint Paul University.

In 1969, Patricia became Canada’s first woman trade commissioner. In 2003, she retired from a career in the Canadian Foreign Service after serving as Ambassador to Portugal, High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mauritius, Madagascar and the Seychelles, and gazetted interim High Commissioner to India.

Shortly after her retirement, Patricia became involved as a volunteer in a number of organizations for seniors. Wishing to explore this issue from a number of disciplinary perspectives, she successfully completed an MA in inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue in 2007 at Saint Paul University, then a PhD in practical theology in 2014, also at SPU. Her doctoral research focused on the building of support networks to care for the aged.

Since completing her degree, Patricia has helped to plan and deliver community consultations in the Ottawa area on the topic of aging in an aging society, and has participated in developing a conference entitled “Building Hospitable Communities for Aging: Challenges and Opportunities,” planned for September 28–30, 2016, at Saint Paul University.