CommunityTop Story

Conception Bay ‘Seniors of Distinction’ give a lot to their churches, community

By Chad Feehan
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
November 24, 2023 Edition

Joyce Morgan of Port de Grave and Angela M. Woodford of Harbour Main-Chapel’s Cove-Lakeview are among this year’s recipients of the provincial Seniors of Distinction Awards.
Each year, the Province recognizes the contributions and achievements of seniors from all walks of life.
Both Morgan and Woodford have been steadfast, committed volunteers for most of their lives and were recognized as such during a ceremony earlier this month.
Standing out amidst her extensive resume of volunteer work, Morgan is perhaps best known for her activities with the Port de Grave Heritage Society and the famous Port de Grave boat lighting event every Christmas that was established in 2000.
Morgan has been livestreaming services at St. Luke’s Church since the days of the pandemic, allowing members of the congregation to continue the practices of their faith even through lockdowns.
“I got an addiction, I suppose, to helping people,” she said.
As a child, Morgan would retrieve mail from the post office, delivering it to seniors who had trouble getting it on their own.
She continues to help seniors by visiting them in their homes and helping them with day-to-day activities including shopping, banking, and attending medical appointments. During the pandemic she made upwards of 99 home visits to seniors in need.
“I’m helping seniors that have nobody, no family or anything,” she said.

In 2008, Morgan was involved in a boating accident in Conception Bay in which everyone involved were miraculously saved. Morgan is amazed she and the rest of them came out of it alive and is thankful she is getting to carry on her work.
“I had too much work to do,” she said. “I’ve always been a volunteer and I’m always there to help anybody who needs it.”

Woodford too has a long resume of service. During her 60 years as a volunteer, she has contributed to a wide variety of causes in Conception Bay Centre. She has volunteered as a family bereavement coordinator, chairperson and member of her parish council, lector, Eucharist Minister, and chairperson of the fundraising committee, among other roles.

While she appreciates the award and acknowledges the kind words she’s received since the ceremony, Woodford remains humble and thankful of those who have helped her along the way.
“I would never have been nominated for this award if I hadn’t had numerous volunteers with me,” she said. “There’s no ‘I’ in team.”
In recent years Woodford has been organizing a free 70+ seniors Christmas dinner which is currently in its seventh year. Over 100 seniors come out to the event.
“They truly appreciate it,” she said.
Particularly rewarding for Woodford is her volunteer work with the local food bank.
“It’s overwhelming how much food and monetary supplies come in,” she said.
Woodford is satisfied with the amount of support she’s given to the community, and has no intention of stopping.

Always the dedicated photographer, Joyce Morgan can often be found documenting Port de Grave’s events through photography or video to preserve its history. She was recently deemed a Senior of Distinction by the Province for that and other volunteer activities. On hand for the presentation were, from left: Children, Seniors and Social Development Minister Paul Pike, Joyce Morgan, and Premier Andrew Furey. Submitted photo

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *